Inside Brazil’s Lapa offshore field: Production status, operators, and strategic role in 2025

The Lapa offshore oil field, located in Brazil’s Santos Basin approximately 270 kilometers off the coast of São Paulo, has emerged as a cornerstone in the country’s deepwater pre-salt strategy in 2025. With a projected production capacity reaching 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year and a technologically advanced FPSO system in operation, Lapa is delivering on its promise as one of the most efficiently run pre-salt oil assets in the region. Recent changes in operatorship, ongoing subsea developments, and low-emissions infrastructure have propelled the field into renewed strategic focus for both Petrobras and TotalEnergies.

What is the Lapa offshore oil field and why is it important to Brazil’s energy strategy in 2025?

The Lapa oil field, formerly known as Carioca, lies in the deepwater sector of Brazil’s prolific Santos Basin. It was discovered in 2007 and forms part of Brazil’s pre-salt polygon—a geologically rich zone that has redefined the country’s global energy footprint. Originally hailed as one of Brazil’s largest discoveries, early reserve estimates were adjusted downward in subsequent appraisal phases. Today, recoverable reserves are pegged at approximately 459 million barrels of light crude, sourced from carbonate reservoirs of the Guaratiba Group.

Its strategic relevance is heightened in 2025 as Brazil continues its push toward maximizing output from existing pre-salt assets while ensuring emissions compliance. Lapa’s compact yet high-output profile makes it a flagship model for low-carbon offshore oil production in Brazil.

Who operates the Lapa field in the Santos Basin and how has the ownership changed since 2022?

As of mid-2025, the Lapa offshore field is operated by TotalEnergies SE, which finalized its increased equity stake in the project in June 2025. The French oil major now holds a 48% operating interest in the field, up from 35% following a strategic swap with Shell. This reshuffle aligns with TotalEnergies’ emphasis on low-cost, low-emissions assets across its global upstream portfolio.

Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda. retains a 27% non-operating stake, while Repsol Sinopec Brasil S.A. continues to hold the remaining 25%. Petrobras, the original operator of the field, exited its operatorship role prior to 2022 as part of a wider portfolio optimization strategy. The realignment reflects an evolving competitive landscape in Brazil’s offshore sector, where international oil companies are playing a more prominent role in field operations.

What are the current production levels and oil reserves of the Lapa pre-salt project as of 2025?

Production at the Lapa field began in December 2016 with the commissioning of the FPSO Cidade de Caraguatatuba MV27, a floating production, storage, and offloading unit with processing capacity of up to 100,000 bpd of oil and 177 million standard cubic feet per day of gas. The unit is leased from MODEC under a 20-year contract and serves as the central processing hub for the field’s subsea wells.

As of 2025, the field is undergoing a notable expansion. The Lapa South-West development project, approved in 2023, involves the tie-back of three new production wells to the existing FPSO. This tie-back is expected to add approximately 25,000 bpd in incremental output, bringing total production capacity to 60,000 bpd by the end of the year. The project is on track for first oil in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to operator guidance.

How is oil exported from the Lapa offshore platform and what infrastructure supports it?

Oil and gas from Lapa are produced via a subsea well system that connects to the Cidade de Caraguatatuba FPSO. The crude is stabilized and stored onboard the vessel, which has a total storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels. From there, the oil is offloaded to shuttle tankers for export or domestic refining.

Gas processing includes compression and treatment onboard the FPSO, with surplus natural gas reinjected or routed via subsea pipelines linked to onshore gas processing facilities. The logistics and export systems are tightly integrated, making Lapa a highly efficient deepwater field from an operational standpoint.

In terms of support infrastructure, helicopter transport services to and from the FPSO are handled by Omni Táxi Aéreo, under a multi-year contract renewed in late 2024. This ensures continuity in personnel transfers and maintenance logistics, which are critical to keeping production steady.

What were the key investment milestones and operational upgrades at the Lapa field since 2016?

The Lapa development timeline began in earnest after the declaration of commerciality in 2014. First oil was achieved in December 2016 following the commissioning of the FPSO. Between 2016 and 2022, initial production rates were gradually optimized, and technical evaluations confirmed the viability of further investments.

In 2023, a final investment decision (FID) was approved for the Lapa South-West project. The subsea production system contract was awarded to Aker Solutions, which was tasked with delivering vertical subsea trees, control systems, and umbilicals. TechnipFMC was awarded a contract to supply flexible pipes for oil, gas lift, and water injection services.

Additionally, in 2024, TotalEnergies introduced a digital asset performance optimization system aboard the FPSO. The Digital Shape Aura platform, developed by Shape Digital, uses AI-based predictive maintenance and energy efficiency algorithms to reduce emissions and downtime.

What are the environmental and regulatory factors affecting Lapa’s production outlook in 2025?

Lapa operates within Brazil’s rigorous offshore environmental regulatory framework, administered primarily by IBAMA and the ANP. While the pre-salt zone offers prolific yields, it also attracts scrutiny due to the water depths and ecological sensitivity of the region.

However, Lapa stands out for its relatively low carbon intensity profile. The FPSO is equipped with vapor recovery systems, gas reinjection capabilities, and energy efficiency software that collectively help limit Scope 1 emissions. Operator statements suggest that Lapa’s operational carbon intensity is among the lowest in Brazil’s offshore sector.

No major protests or climate-related opposition have been recorded against Lapa specifically, though broader environmental campaigns continue to call for stricter limits on deepwater exploration. Brazil’s latest offshore auction rounds in 2024 included clauses to accelerate decarbonization, and Lapa’s operators are using this opportunity to position the field as a model of sustainable offshore development.

How does the Lapa project impact Petrobras, Shell, and Repsol Sinopec’s global oil portfolios?

For TotalEnergies, the Lapa field aligns with its upstream strategy of prioritizing operated, high-margin assets with long reserve lives. The company’s June 2025 stake increase signals a deeper commitment to Brazil’s pre-salt future, especially following exits from non-operated assets like Gato do Mato.

Shell’s retained interest ensures continued exposure to low-cost barrels within Brazil’s high-performing deepwater sector, which forms a key pillar of its global upstream returns. Repsol Sinopec’s 25% stake in Lapa complements its other Latin American assets and provides steady production revenues in a politically stable jurisdiction.

While Petrobras is no longer an operator, the Brazilian state-controlled oil major continues to benefit strategically. Lapa supports utilization of national infrastructure and reinforces Brazil’s role in global oil supply chains.

What are the future expansion and optimization plans for the Lapa field in Brazil’s pre-salt region?

Future outlook for Lapa appears positive. Reserve life is estimated to exceed 15 years based on current production forecasts, and operators are exploring further digital optimization to extend asset performance. Infill drilling and the potential for a second tie-back phase remain on the table, depending on reservoir behavior and global price signals.

Moreover, as decarbonization pressure builds, Lapa is likely to serve as a blueprint for how brownfield offshore developments can evolve in parallel with energy transition goals. The field’s continued investment appeal, low operating costs, and existing infrastructure provide a compelling case for sustained production well into the 2030s.