According to Rigzone, TotalEnergies and its partners have started up the Lapa Southwest project offshore Brazil, adding 25,000 barrels per day to boost the Santos basin field’s total production capacity to about 60,000 bpd. The $1 billion project connects three new wells to the existing Lapa floating production, storage and offloading facility.
The French energy giant operates the field with a 48% stake, while Shell holds 27% and a Repsol-Sinopec joint venture owns 25%. TotalEnergies made the final investment decision in January 2023 and called Brazil a “key growth country” for the company’s 3% annual production growth target through 2030.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- More Santos basin activity ahead as TotalEnergies and Shell prepare the 120,000 bpd Orca field for 2029 startup, creating opportunities for drilling, completion, and vessel services
- Established FPSO infrastructure at Lapa creates potential for brownfield modification and maintenance work as operators look to extend field life
- Brazil’s deepwater expertise requirements favor experienced offshore contractors who can handle complex subsea tie-backs and FPSO operations
