February 21, 2025
January 2025 marks a major achievement for the offshore energy industry as Shell’s Whale asset officially reaches first oil—only 7.5 years after its initial discovery. This milestone is a testament to the power of innovation, efficiency, and collaboration in offshore development, and GIS is incredibly proud to have played a key role in bringing this project to life.
GIS’s Integral Role in Whale’s Success
As a core contributor to Whale’s success, GIS was involved in multiple facets of the project since 2019, providing expertise and execution across several disciplines, including:
- Fabrication
- Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I)
- Production
- Offshore Construction
- Project Management
- Engineering
Whale: A High-Impact Offshore Asset
The Shell-operated Whale floating production facility is a highly efficient, next-generation development that mirrors the successful design of Vito, which began production in 2023. Whale replicates 99% of the hull design and 80% of the topsides from Vito, demonstrating the effectiveness of streamlined and cost-efficient design principles. With an estimated recoverable resource volume of 480 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and an anticipated peak production of 100,000 boe per day, Whale stands as a major asset in the Gulf of America.
Beyond production efficiency, Whale also integrates advanced energy-efficient gas turbines and compression systems, reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity by approximately 30% over its lifecycle compared to Vito. This reflects Shell’s commitment to lower-carbon energy production and sets a new benchmark for sustainable offshore operations.
Learn more here: Shell Whale
Continuing Our Commitment to Shell Whale
GIS is honored to have contributed to the successful development and launch of production for Shell Whale, and we remain committed to supporting its ongoing operations. Our expertise in fabrication, offshore construction, production, and project management ensures that we will continue to be a trusted partner in optimizing performance and maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability, and efficiency.
The success of Whale represents not just the completion of a project, but also our ongoing commitment to innovation, safety, and competitiveness within the energy sector. As Whale begins its journey as a high-impact energy producer, GIS looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Shell and continuing to deliver industry-leading solutions for large-scale offshore projects.
Congratulations to the entire team involved in making this vision a reality!
