Shell Acquires 30% Stake in BP-Operated Conifer Exploration Prospect in Gulf of America

## Shell Expands Gulf of America Deepwater Portfolio with Conifer Acquisition Shell Offshore Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced the acquisition of a 30% working interest in Conifer, a deepwater exploration prospect in the US Gulf of America operated by BP Exploration and Production, according to a PR Newswire release dated September 2, 2026. The Conifer prospect is located in close proximity to BP's Kaskida host development, a strategic positioning that could offer significant infrastructure synergies should the exploration effort prove successful. By tying into an existing or planned host facility, development costs and timelines for any commercial discovery could be substantially reduced — a model increasingly favored by operators in the mature but still prolific Gulf of America basin. ### Strategic Significance The transaction underscores Shell's continued commitment to deepwater exploration in the Gulf of America despite broader industry pressures to accelerate energy transition portfolios. Acquiring a non-operated minority stake allows Shell to maintain exposure to high-impact exploration upside while sharing technical and financial risk with BP, one of the basin's most experienced deepwater operators. For BP, bringing in a partner of Shell's caliber provides additional capital support and technical validation for the Conifer prospect, while retaining operational control ahead of what could be a significant drilling campaign. The Gulf of America remains one of the world's premier deepwater hydrocarbon provinces, with established infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a regulatory framework that continues to attract major international operators. Recent years have seen a resurgence of exploration activity as improved seismic imaging and drilling technologies have opened previously overlooked plays. ### Industry Context This acquisition reflects a broader trend of major oil companies selectively high-grading their deepwater exploration portfolios, focusing capital on prospects with clear pathways to development via existing or near-term infrastructure. The proximity of Conifer to BP's Kaskida development — itself a significant Gulf of America project — makes it a particularly attractive exploration target. Further details regarding the financial terms of the transaction, the anticipated drilling timeline, and the specific acreage involved were not disclosed in the announcement. *Source: PR Newswire*