Norway’s Equinor along with partners Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Petrobras announced a $9 billion final investment decision (FID) to develop the BM-C-33 project offshore Brazil.

The project, slated to start-up in 2028, will utilize an FPSO with a production capacity of 16 million cubic meters of gas per day (MMcm/d) with expected average exports of 14 MMcm/d, Equinor said in a May 8 press release.

“BM-C-33 is one of the main projects in the country to bring new supplies of domestic gas, being a key contributor to the further development of the Brazilian gas market,” Equinor Brazil country manager Veronica Coelho said in the release. “Gas exported from the project could represent 15% of the total Brazilian gas demand at start-up. Its development will also contribute to energy security and economic development, enabling a lot of new job opportunities locally.”

BM-C-33 is located in the Campos Basin and comprises three different pre-salt discoveries – Pão de Açúcar, Gávea and Seat. Combined, the discoveries contain natural gas, oil, and condensate recoverable reserves that exceed one billion boe.

BM-C-33 to reduce emissions

BM-C-33 will be Equinor’s second FPSO in Brazil using combined-cycle gas turbines, significantly reducing carbon emissions during operations. By implementing this technology, the average CO2 intensity of BM-C-33 over its lifetime will be lower than 6 kg/boe, the Norwegian energy giant said.

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Equinor, which operates the project, said BM-C-33 will be the first project to treat gas offshore Brazil and be connected to the national grid without further onshore processing.

Gas from the project will be exported through a 200 km offshore gas pipeline from the FPSO to Cabiúnas, in the city of Macaé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Liquids to flow from the project will be offloaded by shuttle tankers.

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