Equinor completes shallow-water phase of Raia gas pipeline

Project expected to start operations in 2028, meeting up to 15% of Brazil’s gas demand

Sep 23, 2025 2:59 PM

By Brazil Stock Guide – Equinor ASA (EQNR) said it has completed the shallow-water section of the Raia gas pipeline, one of Brazil’s most significant natural gas developments. The company said operations are scheduled to begin in 2028, pending final environmental licensing from Ibama.

The next step involves the onshore section, which will extend about 4 kilometers to connect with Brazil’s gas transportation network in Cabiúnas, Macaé. “We took another important step toward the start of Raia operations, one of the country’s most relevant natural gas projects,” said Pedro Veronesi, Raia Gas Pipeline Manager. “Completing the shallow-water section reinforces the technical capability of our team, which, prioritizing safety, will now move forward with the onshore and deepwater installations up to the FPSO.”

Structure and capacity

Raia is operated by Equinor (35%) alongside Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4.SA, PBR) with a 30% stake. The project is designed to transport up to 16 million cubic meters of gas per day and holds recoverable oil and condensate reserves exceeding 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The associated FPSO has a processing capacity of about 126,000 barrels per day.

Role of Brazilian industry

Brazilian suppliers are playing a central role in the Raia project. Equinor said around 20,000 tons of steel were used for the gas pipeline, with more than 99% sourced from local companies. Tenaris SA (TEN.MI) produced the pipes in its Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo facility under a contract valued at about 2 billion reais.

Meanwhile, MODEC Inc. is building three topside modules for the FPSO at SeatriumFELS shipyard in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro. Most subsea structures are being produced by TechnipFMC (FTI) in Rio de Janeiro, with additional deliveries in Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina.

National energy relevance

Part of the federal government’s new growth acceleration program (Novo PAC), Raia is set to become a key contributor to Brazil’s energy supply, potentially covering up to 15% of the country’s gas demand by 2028.