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The Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Bacalhau has arrived at the Bacalhau Field, located in the Santos Basin, on Saturday (February 22, 2025).
From now on, the project teams will begin the anchoring process of the unit, supported by four tugboats. This procedure is essential to ensure the safety and stability of the platform during its production activities. At the same time, the teams are preparing the next stages of the schedule. We will conduct each phase with precision and rigorous monitoring.
Next Stages of the Bacalhau Project
The Senior Vice President of Project Development at Equinor, Trond Bokn, commented on the upcoming phases of the project:
“With the arrival of the FPSO Bacalhau, our focus will be on the next stages of the project. Initially, we will conduct the anchoring, followed by the connection of umbilicals and risers to the FPSO. Subsequently, we will begin the pre-commissioning and commissioning, which is scheduled to start in April 2025 and conclude by September 2025, including the already drilled wells. Our main objective is to ensure a safe and efficient start of operations. All stages will be rigorously monitored to optimize the processes.”
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Importance of the Bacalhau Project for Equinor and Brazil
The President of Equinor in Brazil, Veronica Coelho, highlighted the strategic importance of the project:
“Bacalhau is a relevant project within Equinor’s portfolio. With over 1 billion barrels of estimated recoverable reserves, the arrival of the FPSO at the field represents a fundamental step for the operation. This project demonstrates the importance of cooperation between our team, partners, and suppliers to achieve a common goal. Moreover, this collaboration strengthens operational efficiency and enhances results.”
Technical Details of the FPSO Bacalhau
After the completion of the anchoring, the team will resume the installation scope. Activities include the recovery of umbilicals and risers already installed on the seabed to connect them to the FPSO, as well as advancing in the commissioning of the unit. During this phase, the team will use a support vessel to provide operational support, perform maintenance, and ensure safety operations. All involved will plan each step to minimize risks.
With 370 meters in length and 64 meters in width, the FPSO Bacalhau has a production capacity of up to 220 thousand barrels of oil per day. MODEC, the company responsible for the hull design, developed the unit. In addition, the FPSO Bacalhau will be the first unit in Brazil to use combined cycle gas turbines, which increases energy efficiency and reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 110 thousand tons per year. This advancement reinforces Equinor’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Economic and Social Impact of the Bacalhau Project
The dimensions of the FPSO Bacalhau reflect its importance for Equinor and Brazil. Throughout the entire project lifecycle, it is estimated that Bacalhau will generate approximately 50 thousand direct and indirect jobs. When combined with the Raia project, also operated by Equinor in the Campos Basin, this number reaches 100 thousand direct and indirect jobs. Therefore, this impact strengthens the offshore industry in Brazil and can attract new investments to the sector.
Sources of the Bacalhau Project
Official sources from the sector, including Equinor, ExxonMobil, Petrogal Brasil, and PPSA (Pré-Sal Petróleo S.A.), provided the information for this article along with the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). Additionally, Equinor based its technical data on internal reports and information disclosed at industry events.
Thus, the FPSO Bacalhau represents a strategic advancement for the Brazilian offshore industry. The combination of advanced technology and international collaboration allows for efficient and sustainable exploration of the pre-salt resources. Furthermore, the arrival of this unit in the Santos Basin strengthens Equinor’s and its partners’ commitment to Brazil’s energy development. This project will bring benefits to the national economy and the oil and gas sector. It is expected that this investment will generate new opportunities.
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