Equinor has submitted Plans of Development for two pre-salt development areas in the BM-C-33 concession in Brazil’s Campos Basin to Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP). The concession, which hosts the Raia Manta and Raia Pintada discovery areas, is located approximately 200 km from Rio de Janeiro, in water depths up to 2900 m and is estimated to contain recoverable volumes of above 1 billion BOE.
“Raia Manta and Raia Pintada are a strategic fit for Equinor’s ambitions in a country where we have a solid history and an intention to further strengthen our presence,” said Trond Bokn, senior vice president for project development. “Together with our partners, we will employ additional expertise to ensure safe and efficient execution of these developments.”
Operator Equinor (35%) is partnered with Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petrobras (30%) in the consortium. The partners made thefinal investment decision to move forward with the project in May.
The estimated $9-billion development will utilize an FPSO capable of processing gas and oil/condensate to meet sales specifications without further onshore processing. The FPSO will have a production capacity of 16 million m3/D of gas with expected average exports of 14 million m3/D.
MODEC will build the FPSO, with TechnipFMC supplying the subsea system, subsea distribution, and topside control equipment.
In July, MODEC subcontracted Baker Hughes to supply turbomachinery equipment—including LM2500 gas turbine generators and steam turbine generator technology—for a combined cycle power generation solution to be installed in the FPSO.
The fields are significant natural gas developments that will play a key role in the ongoing advancement of the Brazilian gas market.
“The developments have the potential to meet 15% of the total Brazilian gas demand when in production,” said Veronica Coelho, Equinor’s country manager in Brazil. “This will contribute to Brazil’s energy security and economic development, enabling significant new job opportunities at the local level.”
The development of the fields will be the first project in Brazil to treat gas offshore and be connected to the national grid without further onshore processing. The sales gas is planned to be exported through a 200-km offshore gas pipeline from the FPSO to Cabiúnas, in the city of Macaé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Liquids are planned to be offloaded by shuttle tankers.
The gas discoveries were made by Repsol Sinopec in 2010. First gas from the project is expected in 2028.
