Oil and gas firm ExxonMobil has begun drilling and construction on an enhanced oil recovery project at the Means Field in Andrews County in the US state of Texas.

According to the company, the first phase of the project has the potential to recover as much as five million barrels of additional oil.

Carbon dioxide injection is expected to begin before the year end and this first phase is expected to lead to future development phases, which could significantly increase oil recovery from the field.

ExxonMobil senior field superintendent for western Texas Lyndal Trout said that the company’s investment in the field is part of an ongoing effort to find, develop and produce more domestic supplies of oil and gas to meet the country’s growing energy needs.