Shell has begun oil production tests in Brazil’s Libra field.

The energy giant has started operations on its Pioneiro de Libra FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading Unit), located in the Santos Basin.

The vessel is the first FPSO dedicated to extended well tests featuring gas reinjection capabilities.

Located approximately 180 kilometres off the coast, the rig can process up to 50,000 barrels of oil and four million cubic meters of gas each day.

The well test is planned to evaluate the subsurface behaviour of the oil reservoir over the course of a year.

Andy Brown, Upstream Director for Shell, said: “It’s a positive step to begin this early production test at Libra, as the dynamic data will be valuable to optimise the consortium’s future development plans and maximise the value we can create from this prolific field.”

Shell has a 20% stake in the consortium developing the Libra area, where it works alongside partners including Petrobras and Total.

New government-funded oil and gas exploration data for the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) has been made available for viewing.