Equinor has commenced drilling operations for one of Brazil’s most significant natural gas projects

The Raia project in the pre salt of the Campos Basin, Brazil, which represents Equinor’s largest international investment to date, has recoverable reserves exceeding one billion barrels of oil equivalent, and is due to start up in 2028.Once completed, the project, operated by Equinor (35%), in partnership with Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petrobras (30%) will have the capacity to export up to 16 million cubic metres of natural gas per day, potentially representing 15% of Brazil’s natural gas demand.

The drilling campaign, which is being carried out by the Valaris DS-17 drillingship, includes six wells in the Raia area, located around 200 kilometres offshore Brazil in water depths of around 2,900 metres. Wells will be connected to an FPSO, which will treat produced oil/condensate and gas, with natural gas being transported via pipeline to Cabiúnas, in the city of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro state.

Drilling activities build on the companies’ combined competence in deepwater operations, including previous experience on the Bacalhau field, where the DS 17 also took part in the drilling campaign.

“Raia is Equinor’s largest project under execution and marks the deepest water depth operation in our portfolio. Together with our partners and suppliers, we are applying world-class technology and decades of offshore expertise. While drilling takes place, integration and commissioning activities on the FPSO are progressing well putting us on track towards a safe start of operations in 2028,” said Geir Tungesvik, executive vice president, Projects, Drilling and Procurement at Equinor.

Brazil represents a key growth area for Equinor, which has a diversified oil and gas portfolio in the country as well as expanding activities in renewable energy, with US$25bn set to be invested in the market by 2030.