Fossil energy – Drilling
Equinor has started the drilling phase for the Raia project in the pre salt of the Campos Basin, Brazil.
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.
