Payday 2
Payday 2

Big Oil

Steal the prototype fusion engine in the Payday 2 "Big Oil" heist. This guide covers Day 1 meth lab raid strategies and identifying the correct engine.

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Big Oil

The Big Oil heist is a two-day operation focused on stealing a prototype fusion engine. This heist can be particularly challenging due to its multi-stage objectives and the need for careful identification of the correct engine. Stealth is an option for Day 1, but Day 2 is always loud. Bring plenty of ammo and deployables like Ammo Bags and Doctor Bags.

Day 1: The Meth Lab Raid

Day 1 involves infiltrating a biker gang's meth lab to locate intel on the fusion engine. This day can be completed stealthily, which is highly recommended to avoid a prolonged firefight and conserve resources for Day 2.

  • Infiltration:
    • The compound has multiple entry points. Look for open windows, back doors, or even the main gate if you can disable cameras and deal with guards.
    • Guards: There are usually 3-4 guards patrolling the exterior and interior. Prioritize taking them out quietly using silenced weapons or melee attacks. Remember to answer their pagers.
    • Cameras: Several cameras are positioned around the compound. A skilled Ghost can disable them from the security room, often located in the main house or a small outbuilding.
    • Civilians: There are often a few civilians inside the house. Tie them down or eliminate them quietly to prevent them from raising the alarm.
  • Locating the Intel:
    • Your primary objective is to find the intel, which can be in one of several locations:
      • Main House: Check desks, tables, and shelves in the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
      • Garage: Often found on workbenches or in lockers.
      • Meth Lab (Basement/Outbuilding): If there's a meth lab setup, intel can be found there.
    • The intel will be a piece of paper with information about the engine's specifications. Once found, secure it.
  • Optional Objectives (Meth Lab):
    • If a meth lab is present, you can choose to cook meth for extra loot. This requires finding the correct ingredients (Muriatic Acid, Caustic Soda, Hydrogen Chloride) and following the instructions on the whiteboard. Be careful, as incorrect ingredients will cause an explosion and alert enemies.
    • Cooking meth is a loud process and will likely trigger the alarm if you haven't already.
  • Escape:
    • Once the intel is secured (and any optional meth is bagged), head to the escape vehicle. This is usually a van parked outside the compound.
    • If stealth was maintained, you'll simply drive off. If loud, you'll need to fight your way to the van.

Day 2: The Engine Heist

Day 2 is a full-on assault on a heavily guarded laboratory facility. There is no stealth option for this day. Prepare for intense combat.

  • Initial Assault:
    • You'll start outside the facility. Breach the perimeter, usually by cutting a fence or blowing open a gate.
    • Clear out the initial wave of guards and secure a foothold.
  • Locating the Lab:
    • The fusion engine is located in a lab within the facility. You'll need to find a computer to hack to pinpoint its exact location.
    • Computers are typically found in offices or control rooms. Start the hack and defend the area.
  • Identifying the Correct Engine:
    • This is the most crucial and often confusing part of the heist. There will be multiple fusion engines in the lab, but only one is the prototype.
    • You must use the intel from Day 1 to identify the correct engine. The intel will specify three parameters:
      • Pressure: Look at the pressure gauge on the engine.
      • Power: Check the power indicator.
      • Helium: Observe the helium level.
    • The Whiteboard: There will be a whiteboard in the lab with a list of possible engine configurations. Match the parameters from your Day 1 intel to one of the configurations on the whiteboard. The correct engine will have the matching pressure, power, and helium levels.
    • Example: If your intel says "Pressure: 400, Power: 1000, Helium: 3", find the engine with those exact readings.
    • Warning: Picking the wrong engine will cause it to explode, triggering a heavy assault and requiring you to find another engine, wasting valuable time and resources.
  • Securing the Engine:
    • Once the correct engine is identified, a helicopter will arrive to extract it.
    • You'll need to attach a winch to the engine and then to the helicopter.
    • Defend the area around the engine and the helicopter's landing zone from waves of police and special units (Tasered, Cloakers, Dozers).
  • Escape:
    • After the engine is successfully extracted, a separate escape vehicle will arrive.
    • Fight your way to the escape zone and get out.

Pro-Tip: Before starting Day 2, take a moment to review the intel from Day 1. Write down the engine specifications or have one player dedicated to remembering them. This will save you a lot of time and potential mistakes during the identification phase.