Bacalhau is Equinor’s largest offshore field outside Norway, with production capacity of more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe). The field is on stream sinceOctober 2025, producing energy efficiently, safely and with reduced emissions.
The Bacalhau field is located in the Santos Basin in two licenses: BM-S-8 and Norte de Carcará.
The asset has a high-quality carbonate reservoir containing light oil. Equinor acquired the operatorship in 2016.
Bacalhau is the first asset in the Brazilian pre-salt area to be entirely developed by an international operator and where Equinor uses its global competence and local expertise to generate value with reduced emissions.
>1 Billion boe
Accumulated production potential
2025
Production start
220,000 barrels/day
Production capacity
~ 9 kg CO2
Average emissions per barrel
The safe start-up of Bacalhau marks a major milestone for Equinor. Bacalhau represents a new generation of projects that bring together scale, cost-efficiency and lower carbon intensity. With this development, we are strengthening the longevity of our oil and gas production and securing value creation for decades to come.
Anders Opedal
President and CEO of Equinor
From discovery to production
Watch the video and learn more about Bacalhau journey towards first oil:
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In 2021, together with our partners, ExxonMobil Brasil (40%), Petrogal Brasil (JV Galp|Sinopec) (20%) and PPSA (contract manager for PSA – non investor), Equinor announced the investment of approximately USD 8 billion for Bacalhau Phase 1, demonstrating our commitment to Brazil and supporting our strategic ambition to continue growing in the country as a relevant area for Equinor.
Bacalhau Phase 1 drilling campaign started in 2022 and comprises 19 wells. The field is situated in ultra-deep water with depths of more than 2000 meters and has a complex reservoir with 900 bar pressure. With over 1 billion of estimated recovery reserves for Phase 1, Bacalhau is important not only for Brazil but also for the global market. The field provides energy with reduced emissions while creating local job opportunities and ripple effects for the supply chain.
Bacalhau features one of the largest and most modern FPSOs in Brazil. The ship is 370 meters long and 64 meters wide, with a production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day.
Combined Cycle: the technology behind emissions reductions
The Bacalhau FPSO is not only impressive in scale but, more importantly, in efficiency. Bacalhau will be the first asset to have a FPSO in Brazil which uses combined cycle gas turbines, significantly reducing our carbon emissions.
The technology combines a gas turbine with a steam turbine to take advantage of excess heat that would otherwise be lost. Four gas turbines and two steam turbines will generate more power with the same amount of gas used.
The introduction of combined cycle technology increases energy efficiency and reduces CO₂ emissions. The field is expected to have a CO₂ intensity of approximately 9kg/barrel, half of the industry average.
A valued partner in Brazil
To Equinor is very important to create value where we operate. Our core business and supply chain deliver energy to millions of people globally while creating significant economic value. This is achieved through taxes, jobs, skill development, education, innovation, and social impact. We believe businesses must actively contribute to the societies they serve.
Bacalhau Topside modules sail away October 2023.
Photo: Eva Sleire
Bacalhau startup is not just a milestone for Equinor and its partners, but also for Brazil. Developed in ultra-deep waters exceeding 2,000 meters and under high reservoir pressure, Bacalhau is a testament to what world-class engineering can achieve. Over its 30-year lifespan, Bacalhau will create around 50,000 jobs and deliver long-term production with lower carbon intensity. This project reflects our deep commitment to Brazil´s energy future which is further underscored by our planned investments of USD 25 billion by 2030.
Veronica Coelho
country manager of Equinor in Brazil
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Bacalhau FPSO module installation.
Photo: Jonny Engelsvoll
Developing a complex reservoir
Bacalhau is one of the most complex oil and gas projects in the world. This is due to the characteristics of its reservoir. The field is located in ultra-deep waters, with depths of more than 2,000 meters, and has a complex carbonate reservoir with a pressure of 900 bar. To date, that is the deepest development well drilled for Equinor. To develop a high quality, complex, high-pressure and ultra deepwater reservoir, requires a multidisciplinary collaboration with focus on safety.
Facts:
Discovery was made by Petrobras in 2012
Equinor operator since 2016
First oil in 2025
Bacalhau is the first greenfield development in the pre-salt by an international operator
Located 185 km from the coast of the municipality of Ilhabela/SP, in the state of São Paulo, in water depths of above 2,000 meters
Phase 1 reserves are > 1 billion barrels and with production capacity of 220,000 boe/d
The partners in Bacalhau: Equinor (40%, operator), ExxonMobil Brasil (40%), Petrogal Brasil (JV Galp|Sinopec) (20%) and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A (PPSA contract manager for PSA).
