Upstream

Equinor Starts Spudding Major Gas Development in Brazil


Published: Tuesday March 24, 2026
By: Oilfield Africa Review

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

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