Oct. 15 (TN) Equinor is celebrating the first year of production at the Bacalhau field, reaching the milestone of 25 offloading operations and 25 million barrels of oil produced. This achievement coincides with the company’s 25th anniversary in Brazil and underscores the field’s strategic importance to Equinor’s long-term growth in the country.
Operated by Equinor—in partnership with ExxonMobil Brasil, Petrogal Brasil (a joint venture between Galp and Sinopec), and Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A. (PPSA)—Bacalhau began production on October 15, 2025, in the pre-salt region of the Santos Basin. The field holds recoverable reserves exceeding 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent and utilizes one of the most modern FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading units) currently in operation in Brazil.
Throughout this first year, production at Bacalhau has steadily increased as commissioning activities progressed and new wells came online. The wells currently in operation are demonstrating high productivity rates, with the field already reaching production levels near its plateau. With work underway on a third injection well, the project is expected to reach a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day within 2026.
“Bacalhau reflects the scale of our ambition in Brazil. Together with our partners, we invested $8 billion in Phase 1, combining global expertise with local knowledge to develop a world-class asset. Reaching our first year of production just as we celebrate 25 years in the country reinforces Brazil’s strategic importance to Equinor and our long-term vision,” says Nina Koch, President of Equinor in Brazil.
Bacalhau also stands out for its use of technologies focused on operational efficiency and the reduction of carbon intensity. Its FPSO is the first in Brazil to utilize combined-cycle gas turbines, which reduces emissions to approximately 9 kg of CO2 per barrel—a figure significantly below the global average of 17 kg per barrel. Efforts to lower emissions and enhance energy efficiency will continue throughout the field’s operational lifespan.
The complexity of the operation is also reflected in the logistics for the Bacalhau field. During this period, around 900 professionals worked daily on various offshore activities, and approximately 3,000 helicopter flights were recorded to support Bacalhau’s operations.
Bacalhau is the first greenfield project in the Brazilian pre-salt region developed by an international operator, combining Equinor’s global expertise with the knowledge the company has built in Brazil. Over the project’s projected 30-year lifespan, approximately 50,000 jobs will be created, providing a positive impact on the country’s economy and its supply chain.
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