According to Drilling Contractor, Equinor has started drilling operations for the Raia gas project in the pre-salt Campos Basin, roughly 200 km offshore Brazil in approximately 2,900 meters of water. The Valaris DS-17 drillship began the campaign on March 24, targeting six wells ahead of a planned 2028 startup. Equinor operates the project with a 35% stake, alongside Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petrobras (30%).
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Deepwater drilling campaigns of this scale generate sustained demand for subsea equipment suppliers, ROV operators, and inspection, maintenance and repair crews over a multi-year timeline.
- Cementing, well completion, and directional drilling service companies that have established relationships in Brazil’s pre-salt sector are best positioned to capture work on the remaining wells in the campaign.
- US-based offshore service contractors with Gulf of Mexico deepwater experience may find this project a viable expansion target, given the operational similarities to ultra-deepwater work in the Gulf.
