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Production Operations

Harris CapRock provides ‘best ft’ end-to-end solutions for customers.

represents an interesting potential Shell opted to install fber networks. Even if the network is technology for our customers. networks when rebuilding optimized, a lot of the applications

It is unique in that it offers low- communication networks in the the software providers are rolling latency exploration and production Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of out right now are not architected, communications capabilities that no hurricanes Katrina and Rita. And and not coded, in a way that they other planned Ka system is offering. Happel notes Shell has invested perform well over high latency, low

For those clients that have assets in subsea fber in new deepwater bandwidth environments. So we operating within their coverage developments where costs can be are looking at re-architecting our area, the low latency advantages justifed in relation to the overall application platforms. There’s a lot represent an exciting new capability project development costs. of technology that we feel like we for some applications in the oilfeld, Shell’s offshore microwave system can’t look at. Based on experiences including seismic vessels and other was obliterated during the storms, we have had, we feel it won’t work data hungry sites and could offer says Rob Raleigh, subsea IM/IT well,” says Rowan’s VP and chief better remote decision making,” manager – deepwater IM/IT – information offcer Lisa Gauthier.

Johnson says. upstream Americas for Shell E&P. The ‘need more bandwidth’ cry As such, the company started to The human element is nothing new for the industry, look toward fber as a potential While offshore data management according to Shell feld telecoms strategic solution. Although fber may be considered a daunting advisor Don Happel. “It’s been itself does not provide any beneft, task, the human element of growing for the last 30 years, and it enables improvements to work communication applications is the carriers have to continually processes and tools that can provide becoming increasingly demanding upgrade and push their networks.” signifcant benefts, he notes. as companies work to attract and Though some companies have In environments where retain skilled personnel. opted to install effcient fber communication options are less In addition to the communication network solutions offshore, such than optimal, companies must needed for business operations, capital investments are cost re-evaluate operations and tailor employees also now expect access prohibitive for many operations the data output to suit the available to the internet and are increasingly and applications. “The technology bandwidth. likely to bring their own electronic is there. We can have live feeds “We struggle probably most devices – known as a ‘BYOD’ from the battlefelds but it is not notably with application environment. Gauthier says that economical,” Wright says. performance over satellite crew members have expectations

OE | February 2013 oedigital.com 54 oe_oilcomms2.indd 54 31/01/2013 17:02