Two offshore support vessels contracted by Italian engineering
company Saipem have cleared customs in Rio de Janeiro and are
heading to the Campos Basin to begin construction of the Raia
project gas pipeline, one of Brazil's largest natural gas
developments, Offshore Energy reported.
Amsterdam-based shipping company Spliethoff will charter the m/v
Brouwersgracht and m/v Bloemgracht from its fleet to support
pipeline installation work, according to industry reports.
The vessels are proceeding to Guarujá before departing for the
Raia field located around 200 kilometres offshore Rio de
Janeiro.
Saipem was contracted in November 2023 to install the subsea gas
export pipeline and associated equipment at water depths of
about 2,900 metres. The Italian company's scope encompasses
offshore transportation and installation operations for the
development.
Norwegian energy company Equinor operates the Raia project with
a 35% stake held by Repsol Sinopec Brasil and 30% by Brazilian
state-owned oil company Petrobras.
The field encompasses three distinct pre-salt discoveries
including Pão de Açúcar, Gávea and Seat, with recoverable reserves
of natural gas and condensate exceeding 1bn barrels of oil
equivalent.
The project represents a significant addition to Brazil's
natural gas production capacity as the country seeks to monetise
vast pre-salt resources in the Campos and Santos basins.
Equinor has positioned the development as a key component of its
international portfolio while Brazil aims to reduce dependence on
imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Pipeline installation work in ultra-deepwater environments
requires specialised vessels and equipment to handle the technical
challenges of subsea construction at depths approaching 3,000
metres.
The Raia development follows several major pre-salt gas projects
brought online in recent years as operators tap reservoirs beneath
thick salt layers offshore Brazil.
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