Shell begins production at Mero-4 field platform off Brazil
Shell Brasil has commenced production at its latest floating production facility in Brazil's pre-salt region, marking another milestone in the development of one of the world's most prolific offshore oil fields.
The FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão, part of the Mero-4 project, began operations in the Santos Basin approximately 180 kilometres off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The facility will be connected to 12 wells and has the capacity to produce 180,000 barrels of oil daily alongside 12 million cubic metres of gas compression, with Shell holding a 19.3% stake.
Located in waters roughly 2,000 metres deep, the platform represents the fourth such facility to come online in the Mero field, following earlier installations in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Combined with an early production system, the field now boasts a total installed capacity of 770,000 barrels per day.
"Mero-4 is the latest example of how we are working with our partners to unlock value from world-class reservoirs," said Peter Costello, Shell's Upstream President. He highlighted Brazil's portfolio as featuring "long-life assets with high flow rates" that deliver some of Shell's most competitive production.
The field operates under a consortium led by Brazil's Petrobras (38.6%), with Shell Brasil, TotalEnergies (both 19.3%), CNPC, CNOOC (both 9.65%), and government representative PPSA (3.5%) as partners.
The project contributes to Shell's broader commitment to deliver upstream projects with combined peak production exceeding one million barrels of oil equivalent daily between 2025 and 2030.
