Chevron and Shell Begin Production at Whale Platform

Chevron and Shell have commenced oil production from the Whale semi-submersible platform in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico, with Chevron holding a 40% interest and Shell 60%. The facility, located approximately 200 miles southwest of Houston, is expected to reach peak production of 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) and is designed to have a lower environmental impact, featuring energy-efficient systems that lower greenhouse gas intensity by 30% compared to similar projects. Discovered in 2017, the Whale project reflects advanced engineering and was brought online in just 7.5 years, despite pandemic-related delays. This development is part of Chevron's strategy to increase its production capacity to 300,000 net boe/d in the Gulf by 2026, reinforcing its position as a leading leaseholder in the region. The Whale platform connects 15 wells through subsea infrastructure and has an estimated recoverable resource volume of 480 million boe. Both companies emphasize their commitment to reducing emissions while meeting the growing energy demands.