The Whale project largely replicates Shell’s Vito project, which started production in the Gulf of Mexico in early 2023. The new project also uses energy-efficient gas turbines and compression systems with 30% lower greenhouse gas intensity over its lifecycle than Vito, Shell said.

Whale's estimated peak output is 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), with 480 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe) in recoverable resources.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL) said Thursday it began production at its Whale floating facility in the Gulf of Mexico, which is expected to reach peak output of 100K boe/day; Whale is operator and 60% owned by Shell,