The Valaris DS‑17 drillship started drilling operations, today 24 March. The drilling campaign includes six wells in the Raia area, located around 200 kilometres offshore the coast of Brazil in water depths of around 2,900 metres.
The campaign supports the development of one of Brazil’s most significant natural gas projects, with recoverable reserves exceeding one billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Once in operation, the project will have the capacity to export up to 16 million cubic metres of natural gas per day, which could represent 15% of Brazil’s natural gas demand, significantly contributing to Equinor’s international equity production and long-term cashflow and the country’s energy security.
The Raia project is operated by Equinor (35%), in partnership with Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petrobras (30%). 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”, Says Geir Tungesvik, executive vice president, Projects, Drilling and Procurement,
Innovative development concept and specialised suppliers
Raia’s development concept is based on production through wells connected to a floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), which will treat produced oil/condensate and gas. Natural gas will be transported through a 200‑kilometre pipeline from the FPSO to Cabiúnas, in the city of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro state.
More gas for Brazil with low emissions in production
The project is Equinor’s largest international investment to date, totaling around USD 9 billion. The FPSO is expected to be among the most carbon‑efficient globally, with average CO₂ emissions intensity of approximately 6 kg per barrel of oil equivalent. The Raia development is estimated to generate up to 50,000 direct and indirect jobs over its 30 year-life cycle.
