Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 26, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleShell aims to increase its investment in Italy's energy sector if new drilling permits are approved, potentially doubling production at key fields.
By Francesca Landini
ROME (Reuters) -Shell is ready to invest more in Italy to boost hydrocarbon production, the head of the energy group's Italian unit said on Wednesday, urging the government to allow new drilling.
Shell currently spends some 500 million euros ($578 million) a year in Italy, and is the leading foreign investor in its upstream sector. However, its hydrocarbon production in Italy is shrinking as it awaits authorisation for new wells in the two concessions where it operates.
"The potential is far greater than what we invest now... we could invest significantly more," Shell Country Chair for Italy Joao Santos Rosa said at an event in Rome.
The London-listed group produces oil and gas in Europe's two largest onshore fields, Val d'Agri and Tempa Rossa, both in the southern Basilicata region.
Santos said if new wells are authorised, Shell could double production at the Eni-operated Val D'Agri field to 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from around 40,000 boed currently.
Tempa Rossa, which is operated by TotalEnergies and involves Japan's Mitsui, is also currently underutilised, producing around 30,000 boed, according to Shell.
In 2024, Shell accounted for 85% of Italy's national oil production and 36% of its national gas output. It also makes lubricants, sells renewable power to industrial clients, supplies petrol stations and has energy trading activities.
($1 = 0.8652 euros)
(Reporting by Francesca Landini, editing by Alvise Armellini and Jan Harvey)
Hydrocarbon production refers to the extraction of hydrocarbons, primarily oil and natural gas, from underground reservoirs. It is a key component of the energy sector.
Corporate strategy is the overall plan for a company that outlines how it will achieve its goals and objectives. It includes decisions about resource allocation, competitive positioning, and market entry.
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