Shell’s Mars platform in the Gulf recently reached a significant milestone, becoming the first offshore rig in the U.S. to produce 1 billion barrels of oil, Louisiana Economic Development announced Wednesday.
The success of the platform, located some 130 miles south of New Orleans, paved the way for three additional Shell-operated platforms in what is now known as the Mars Corridor. The platform is one of Shell’s 10 current production hubs in the Gulf.
Shell employs 6,000 people in Louisiana and is currently constructing a new “state-of-the-art” deepwater headquarters in New Orleans, according to LED. The company is currently advancing its next major deepwater development in the Gulf, called Sparta. That development is expected to begin production in 2028.
“What happens in Louisiana changes the world, and that’s certainly the case with Shell’s Mars platform,” a statement from Gov. Jeff Landry reads. “You can only reach a staggering billion barrels at one asset when you bring together the rich resources of our state with the know-how and determination of Louisianians.”
