Equinor declares commerciality of two natural gas fields offshore Brazil

World Oil Staff September 21, 2023

(WO) – Equinor has, on behalf of the BM-C-33 consortium, submitted to Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP), the Declarations of Commerciality and Plans of Development for two natural gas fields in the BM-C-33 concession in Brazil’s Campos basin.

Equinor (operator) is partnered with Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Petrobras in the consortium.

The concession is located approximately 200 km from Rio de Janeiro, in water depths up to 2900 m. It contains natural gas and oil/condensate recoverable volumes of above 1 Bboe.

The suggested names for the fields are Raia Manta and Raia Pintada. The names are to be confirmed by the regulator.

“The fields 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. Together with our partners, we will employ additional expertise to ensure safe and efficient execution of these developments” says Trond Bokn, Senior Vice President for Project Development.

The selected concept comprises of one floating production storage and offloading unit (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 MMcmgd, with expected average exports of 14 MMcmgd.

Raia Manta and Raia Pintada are significant natural gas fields that will play a key role in the ongoing advancement of the Brazilian gas market. Together, the development and operation of the fields have the potential to generate up to 50,000 local jobs during its full life cycle, through various contracts in the supply chain. Total investment is approximately $9 billion.

“The fields have the potential to meet 15% of the total Brazilian gas demand when in production. This will contribute to Brazil’s energy security and economic development, enabling significant new job opportunities at local level,” says Veronica Coelho, Equinor’s Country Manager in Brazil.

The development of Raia Manta and Raia Pintada 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.

Lifetime average CO2 intensity for the fields is estimated to be below 6 kilograms per boe. The low carbon intensity is enabled through combined cycle gas turbines on the FPSO, which combines a gas turbine with a steam turbine to take advantage of the excess heat that would otherwise be lost.