Brazil's Energy Research Company (EPE) has completed a technical review of a pioneering offshore gas pipeline linked to the Raia Project and recommended its approval for early construction following Equinor’s request to begin early work. 

The project, poised to be Brazil's first to deliver processed offshore gas directly into the national transport network, is considered a crucial step toward bolstering domestic energy security and supporting economic development.

In its findings, the EPE, a state-owned company responsible for energy planning, determined that the pipeline aligns with Brazil's national energy strategy, specifically citing its potential contribution to the domestic gas supply and the "Gas for Employment Programme." 

EPE’s endorsement paves the way for developing the vital piece of infrastructure, which would contribute significantly to Brazil’s energy sector. 

The 204-kilometer pipeline will transport natural gas from the Raia Manta and Raia Pintada fields in the Campos Basin. A 200-kilometer offshore section will reach depths of up to 2,700 meters before connecting to a 4-kilometer onshore segment in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. 

According to the project’s details, the onshore section will land at Praia do Lagomar and integrate with the Nova Transportadora do Sudeste (NTS) network, utilizing existing pipeline corridors to minimize environmental impact.

Thiago Prado, president of EPE, hailed the approval as a "milestone," emphasizing the project's demonstration of effective infrastructure planning. 

Operated by Equinor (35% stake), Repsol Sinopec (35%), and Petrobras (30%), the Raia Project will transport 16 million cubic meters of gas daily. This substantial output could meet up to 15% of Brazil's natural gas demand starting in 2028, significantly reducing the country's reliance on imported gas.