Sparta (GB959) - Shell

Project Overview

• The Sparta project is a deepwater oil and gas development located in the US Gulf of Mexico, specifically in the Garden Banks area, spanning four Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks.

Ownership and Operation

• The project is operated by Shell Offshore Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc, which holds a 51% interest. Equinor Gulf of Mexico LLC holds the remaining 49% interest.

Discovery and Development

• The Sparta field was originally discovered in 2012.
• The Final Investment Decision (FID) for the project was made in December 2023.

Production Details

• The project is designed to reach a peak production capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).
• Production is expected to begin in 2028.

Reserves

• The estimated ultimate recoverable resources for the Sparta development are above 250 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), with current 2P reserves estimated at around 244 million boe.

Infrastructure

• The development plan includes eight subsea wells tied back to a semi-submersible floating production unit. This unit is a replication of the designs used in the Vito and Whale projects, enabling a standardized and cost-efficient approach.
• The platform will feature all-electric topside compression equipment, which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas intensity and emissions from the operations.

Location and Geology

• The project is located approximately 171 miles offshore Louisiana, in water depths of about 4,300 feet (1,310 meters) and reservoir depths of around 30,000 feet (9,100 meters).

Technological and Environmental Aspects

• The Sparta development will be the first of Shell’s replicable projects to feature all-electric topside compression equipment, which is designed to reduce emissions intensity from production.
• The project showcases Shell’s cost-efficient development approach through standardized and simplified host designs, similar to those used in the Vito and Whale developments.

Contract and Partnerships

• Oilfield Service Professionals, LLC (OSP) has been awarded a contract to develop High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) mechanical suspension barriers and service remediation packers for the Sparta project, with work scheduled to start around October 2025.

Significance

• Sparta marks the third final investment decision in Equinor’s international upstream business for 2023 and underlines the company’s commitment to investing in long-term reliable energy supply with good carbon efficiency.
• The project is part of Shell’s strategy to pursue energy-efficient and competitive projects, aligning with their commitment to supply safe and secure energy while reducing emissions.