The need for reliable communication systems in the Oil&Gas industry

Oil and Exploration projects need communications. Supplying the world’s demand for fossil fuels and minerals has driven companies to explore more remote, geographically widespread and sometimes environmentally harsh and extreme areas. Reliable, secure, cost effective communications solutions for these sites, and for their connection to regional operation centres, are absolutely necessary for successful exploration or production. On-site applications including transmission of drilling and mining data, sending plans, diagrams and reports by email, video, or voice to headquarters, acting quickly in the case of emergency situations by having the ability to send information via video cameras, having access to Internet and the ability to hold video conferences between managers in other remote sites are all essential for the correct and efficient functioning of this industry. Servicesat has the correct and cost effective solution to these requirements in the Auto Deploy Antenna.

The Auto Deploy Antenna

The Servicesat transportable communications system is an automatic two-way satellite antenna designed for virtually any satellite VSAT platform. This Auto Deploy Antenna can be set up virtually anywhere to receive and transmit information. It is designed to automatically find and acquire the satellite beam and the satellite position, based on the GPS position reading and other positioning parameters. This equipment can be mounted on any vehicle (RV, SUV, van, trailer, or any other commercial vehicle or transportable platform) and driven to the remotest of areas where cable and DSL do not exist and allows access to Internet at broadband speed. Even in areas where the use of a mobile phone is not possible, voice communication by VoIp can be used at a reduced cost when compared to mobile phones. This means that workers from remote sites can be connected to the experts, working from headquarters and regional offices, as well as to managers located on different sites. The experts back at HQ can collaborate, either by video-conference, voice or email, with on-site engineers to analyse data, resulting in faster and better decisions.

A wireless access point can easily be added to provide a local area wireless network (WLAN). This can then be used as a wireless hotspot, for the surrounding area, (up to the limit of the wireless router chosen) and can also mean that people within the WLAN zone have the ability to use wireless IP phones to make easy phone calls, not only to the ‘base camp’ but also over the satellite link via VOIP.

As more users and applications are added, the need for greater bandwidth grows. The auto-deploy antenna can cope with this and has the ability to use large bandwidths; up to 10Mbps of download and 5Mbps of upload, depending upon the satellite coverage zones. This bandwidth is an always-on type service with flat monthly payments, with no need to worry about data usage. Unlike other providers, the billing for service is for the bandwidth only and there are no extra charges for data usage.

Once the location has been reached, the antenna can be activated by this the easiest to operate transportable communications system on the market. Within a matter of minutes the antenna will find the satellite, lock on to it, and immediately provide you communications required on site and all without the need for an engineer or installer!
The Auto Deploy Antenna is satellite independent (works with any configured satellite), having automatic dish pointing and possessing the simple touch of a button on a touch-screen control box. One button for deploy and another for stow, even any alterations in longitude and latitude will be done automatically, making optimized signal reception and transmission. Before being shipped, the modem is preconfigured and therefore no engineer is required.

Once the job has been done on one site, the antenna can simply be automatically stowed in seconds and driven to the next location, ready for use. The mobility, versatility, and ability to rapidly deploy at multiple sites within a short time frame, makes the Auto Deploy Antenna an ideal solution for the applications throughout the Oil and Gas Industry. The antenna can also be used without a vehicle, supplied in a made-to-measure, robust ‘fly-away’ carry case; it can be easily loaded on a plane, ship or vehicle and once unloaded at its destination, deployed from within the case, with just the removal of the case lid and the press of the deploy button.

Back-up solutions

Oil and Exploration projects not only need communications, they also need back-up solutions. Even where alternative communications are available, a back-up is still required. Satellite back-up has secured a vital position in these days of natural disasters and terrorism. One of the lingering effects of the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes is an increased demand for reliable connectivity among many segments of the Oil and Gas Industry. Communications managers depending upon typically reliable VSAT technology are now examining mobile satellite solutions such as the Auto Deploy Antenna, to ensure 100% uptime for critical applications. Maintaining 24/7 connectivity is essential for those businesses involved in the Oil and Gas Industry worldwide. The efficient and free flow of both voice and data between sites and corporate offices many kilometres away, is essential for its smooth running. Recent political events and environmental catastrophes have highlighted the need for rapid deploy and/or geographical diverse disaster recovery systems. The challenges faced by the Oil and Gas Industry when it comes to disaster recovery are unique. Mobile Satellite systems such as the Auto Deploy Antenna offer a completely independent pathway for communications in the event of the failure of terrestrial connectivity or its interruption.

The Servicesat transportable system (Auto Deploy Antenna) consists mainly of the following components:
2-way 0.74m, 0.84m, 0.96m, 1.2mand 1.8m satellite dish
2-way modems
Mount
Touch screen control box

www.servicesat.net/direcstar-autode.html.

Features and Benefits Summary:
Video Conferencing
Voip
Internet access
Email
Remote telemetry
Security monitoring systems
Medical and Emergency

Visit us at:
CABSAT 2008
4-6th March, 2008
DWTC, Dubai
Zabeel Hall 1, Stand E1-43