Equinor marked two major milestones in Brazil, launching the drilling phase for its largest-ever international gas investment and expanding its renewable energy footprint.
Major Energy Projects are the Raia G where on 24 March 2026, Equinor officially began drilling at the Raia project (formerly BM-C-33) in the Campos Basin.
Estimated investment at $9 billion, making it Equinor’s largest international project.
The campaign involves drilling six wells using the Valaris DS-17 drillship in water depths of approximately 2,900 metres.
Scheduled to start in 2028, it is expected to meet roughly 15% of Brazil’s total natural gas demand.
Operated by Equinor (35%) alongside Repsol Sinopec Brasil (35%) and Petrobras (30%).
On 23 March 2026, Equinor, through its subsidiary Rio Energy, acquired the Esquina do Vento onshore wind complex from Vestas.
The 230 MW project will feature 51 turbines in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.
Construction is set to begin in Q2 2026, with commercial operations starting in 2028.
On 19 March 2026, Equinor filed its 2025 Annual Report, confirming Brazil as a core growth area for the company’s international portfolio.
The drilling at Raia follows the successful start of production at the Bacalhau field in October 2025. The Valaris DS-17 moved directly from its work at Bacalhau to the Raia project.
Note by Alessandro Bazzoni