Page 12: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2006)

Offshore news 12 MTR November 2006

Tyco Telecommunications signed a contract with BP America Inc. to supply an under- sea fiber optic system serving offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The system will comprise the undersea backbone of a regional communications network, providing diverse connectivity from BP's Gulf of Mexico offshore production facilities back to the regional operating center in Houston, Texas.

The system will initially link seven deepwater production platforms with landings in

Freeport, Texas and Pascagoula, Miss. The network incorporates an upgrade capability designed to support 64 platforms. The project has put emphasis on robustness and reli- ability as an outgrowth of the devastating 2005 hurricane season, which was particularly challenging for traditional communications systems. To achieve this, Tyco

Telecommunications will deploy long haul undersea telecom- munications technologies adapted for the unique requirements of offshore applications. Each platform will be served by a branch off of a deepwater trunk. Using optical multiplexing in undersea branching units, each platform will have direct optical connectivity to both landing stations, ensuring continued oper- ations, independent of any other platform in the system during hurricane events. "Communications systems to high value pro- duction platforms, now further offshore in deep water, require the innovative application of undersea fiber optic technologies, especially in an environment that is susceptible to hurricanes," said Rob Munier, managing director for global solutions at Tyco

Telecommunications.

Tyco to Build Undersea System to Connect Rigs

Toll Signs JV to Service Offshore Oil and

Gas Drilling

Toll Holdings has formed a new joint-venture operation in

Western Australia to provide supply base services to offshore oil and gas drillers. Toll has signed an agreement with

Mermaid Marine Australia (MMA) to serve a range of clients operating in the Browse Basin off Broome.

The company will be called Toll Mermaid Logistics-

Broome. MMA Managing Director Jeffrey Weber says the joint-venture recognizes the strength of both companies. "[It] will provide our clients with world-class services to sup- port their current and emerging requirements in the Browse

Basin region," he says. Work has already started storing drilling casing for clients and lease agreements are being completed with the Broome Port Authority. Contracts cover- ing integrated supply base services are also being finalised,

MMA says, with new drilling campaigns expected within the next month. (Source: www.supplychainreview.com.au)

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