As the technology in oil and gas exploration and production becomes more sophisticated it generates a much larger volume of data than ever before.
This data must be transmitted quickly and efficiently around the world, increasingly from more remote locations. Add to this the data needs of crew on rigs and vessels for personal needs, and the result is a growing challenge to the satellite systems the industry uses.
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Finding reliable, robust, efficient and secure systems with global coverage is a must, but these are only available from service providers that have an in-depth understanding of the industry.
“There is a tremendous need for more communications on rigs and offshore vessels,” says Paul Khayat, from Schlumberger’s Global Connectivity Services (GCS), the satellite communications unit of the world’s largest oilfield services company.
“The IT is complex, everything on a vessel is networked and the tools in the wells generate a lot of data, which goes back to the rig through fibre connections and then needs to go onshore to operations support centres, or wherever the expert analysts are located. There is more remote surveillance of operations and drilling and there are fewer people on rigs – at least that is the intent – so there is a need for communications to have more remote support. The explosion of data is a big challenge.”
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“There are navigation systems that need to send data to shore, and crew on vessels want to browse the internet, use Skype and online banking, for instance, so you need more bandwidth for activity not specific to the industry. There has also been an increase in HSE requirements, so there is more CCTV on rigs, which will also generate more bandwidth. The rigs are in more remote locations and they move on a regular basis, so you need to have a lot of flexibility in communications, which need to cover all locations globally, hopefully through the same service provider,” he adds.
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By GlobalDataFor over 20 years, GCS has focused solely on communications for the oil and gas industry and has 12 teleports around the world. As part of its voice and data services it is pushing high definition teleconferencing to offshore rigs and vessels. Its leading role in the market gives it a ringside seat on the many challenges facing the industry in regard to its communications needs. Of prime importance is the ability to provide the global coverage that can maintain reliable communications and effective data management as rigs and vessels move, but without incurring too great a cost.
“The industry needs reliable, highly available communications in real-time with no interruption. 100% availability may not be possible, but you must get very close to it. You need the highest possible performance while looking at costs. More bandwidth and reliability means higher cost,” says Khayat.
Balancing coverage, cost and flexibility
Very small aperture terminal (VSAT) technology, which works on two-way ground stations or stabilised maritime antennae that usually have a diameter of less than 3m, is the basis for the satellite communications infrastructure in the oil and gas sector. It relies on commercial satellites, which brings its own challenges in terms of available bandwidth, but also raises other issues. For example, even a small dish requires installation on a rig, where available room may not be readily available.
“If you know how much bandwidth you need and you are willing to pay, then you still need to address the question of whether there is space on the rig for the satellite antenna. The bigger the antenna the more expensive it is and the better the service will be, but is there enough space for the footprint of the VSAT antenna?” Khayat asks.
“Also, there is wireless communication on rigs, which is better than cable, but the problem is that there is a lot of steel around, which is no friend to wireless networks, so you need more equipment and you need to deploy it in the right zones. There is also a challenge around data security when rig owners, operators and other users share communications systems. Everyone wants the Rolls Royce – and we offer that – but you need to refine the needs of the customer to reduce cost,” he adds.
There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of satellite communications, including compression of data on the VSAT side, but Khayat believes that careful consideration must be given to finding the right balance between service levels, reliability and cost efficiency.
A balance must be struck between being able to effectively manage data without loss of service and value for money. The key is to work closely with customers to identify the options to meet their service requirements with the best cost profile, rather than looking simply to cut costs to the bone.
“We understand end users’ needs because we are involved in processes like drilling, so we can help the IT department sell its proposition internally. The day rent for an oil rig is in the region of $500,000, so monthly the cost of communications is very small compared to that. The end user has specific communications needs and has the money, but sometimes the IT department might like to reduce costs when it is not necessary to do so. We can help with that discussion to promote the right solution,” explains Khayat.
Harsh environments and bandwidth constraints
For an industry moving into harsher, more remote environments in search of new reserves, robust technology is a must. “The satellite system can cope with moving rigs and their move into harsher environments. It can deal with hurricanes, deserts, jungles, swamps, the cold of Alaska – any kind of difficult weather. It is designed specifically for the needs of the oil and gas industry, so there is less need to change things whenever a rig moves.
It is designed to cope with quick changes in environment, which is why rigs and deepwater vessels cannot use the same system as, say, a cruise ship,” explains Khayat. The only problem is at the poles, where the technology meets the limits of physics. Above 73° latitude it becomes very difficult to see commercial satellites, which are in geostationary orbit above the equator. Here, it is possible to use other satellite services like Iridium, which has 100% global coverage, but may be more expensive.
Schlumberger is expanding its own Global MPLS system, with nodes in Lagos, Nigeria and Perth, Australia, bringing the total to 37. “We are not extending the network everywhere, as we are not a global telco like BT or Orange. We focus on the key oil and gas marketsm,” says Khayat.
“We have agreements with other service providers. The problem is not so much coverage as the huge increase in the volume of data commercial satellites are handling. The technology is there, but there is only so much VSAT capacity available.”
“We are competing with HDTV and 3D TV channels, mobile phones and every other kind of data transmission, which need more bandwidth than the oil and gas industry. So, the costs are high. There is only a set number of satellites and the cost of capacity is going up. It is tricky environment, and it needs a service provider to understand the needs of the oil and gas industry and the satellite industry.”
It is that combination of experience in both industries that enables Schlumberger to provide the integrated service the industry so badly needs to effectively manage their data needs.
