The Valaris DS-17 drillship began work on March 24 and will drill six wells in the Raia area, located around 200 kilometres from the coast in water depths of around 2,900 metres. The vessel previously took part in the drilling campaign in the Bacalhau field.
Operated by Equinor with a 35% stake alongside Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petrobras (30%), Raia holds recoverable reserves exceeding 1 billion boe and is expected to yield exports of up to 16 mcm (565 mcf) of gas per day.
Development will be through an FPSO on location, which will process oil, condensate and gas, with the gas transported through a 200-kilometre pipeline to Cabiúnas, in Rio de Janeiro state.
“Raia is Equinor’s largest project under execution and marks the deepest water depth operation in our portfolio. 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 Equinor executive vice-president Geir Tungesvik.
The Raia project is Equinor’s largest international investment, totalling around USD 9 billion.