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Case Study: Prosafe Offshore Increases Customer Satisfaction with 21st Century Global Connectivity Services
“We are excited to be able to deliver 21st century connectivity to our integrated global operator customers who now enjoy reliable high bandwidth communications while onboard Prosafe Offshore flotels anywhere in the world.”
George Gordon,
Global IT Manager,
Prosafe Offshore
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“I have worked with several SIS technicians and have been very impressed with their performance and professionalism on the job. They were willing to go the extra mile to ensure the best possible setup of our new network infrastructure.”
George Gordon,
Global IT Manager,
Prosafe Offshore
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Challenge
Provide flotels with secure, continuous voice and data communications in remote offshore environments; support sophisticated communications needs of numerous and varied types of users in a cost-effective manner.
Solution
- Install stabilized SpaceTrack 4000 series VSAT technology and use MyVSAT portal monitoring tool.
- Bundle and standardize connectivity services across fleet with full monitoring and optimization performed by Schlumberger satellite support center.
- Include unique service offerings for customer and crew well-being.
Results
Minimized downtime with high-performance infrastructure, stabilized antennas, and global satellite coverage; contained costs through fleet-wide service package; increased customer satisfaction with standardized, higher-quality service.
Upgrade network infrastructure
Prosafe Offshore had a three-fold objective—technology, customer service, and financial— when it decided to upgrade the network infrastructure on its entire fleet of accommodation and service rigs (also known as “flotels”) positioned in ever more remote regions of the world.
Prosafe’s primary reason for refreshing the existing infrastructure was to provide reliable high bandwidth for its customers’ sophisticated communications needs as an integral part of the onboard accommodations. Given each flotel’s capacity for as many as 500 persons with different connectivity requirements at any given time, this represented a significant upgrade. It would require advanced technological know-how to design and implement a fit-for-purpose intelligent infrastructure for this type of project, calling for separate, secure networks to ensure continuous coverage, protect data security, and avoid business interruptions—regardless of conditions at sea.
Use 21st century technology
Stabilized VSAT global connectivity services
After careful analysis, the Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) engineering team proposed a fully customized, complete solution to meet Prosafe’s specific set of offshore network requirements. The core service comprises very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite communications technology for remote voice and data connectivity, which provides true end-to-end telecommunications from any offshore location all the way back to the home office. This service includes MyVSAT, a Web-based portal that gives users direct access to real-time connectivity data via its many user-friendly functions:
- a single dashboard that consolidates all network statuses
- efficient and accurate data analysis
- business and management reporting
- access to Schlumberger monitoring data, including incident management updates.
The VSAT hardware solution consists of revolutionary SpaceTrack 4000 series antenna systems specially designed and manufactured by Schlumberger for unstable offshore conditions. Once deployed, these antennas are able to automatically acquire and maintain the appropriate satellite signal, holding steady despite significant movement in rough waters of climatically volatile areas. The Schlumberger global satellite footprint ensures that the flotels’ network traffic and coverage are not compromised, even in the most remote regions of the world.
Intelligent infrastructure—a single dynamic IP voice and data network
The SIS technical team custom-designed an advanced, complex digital infrastructure to address the diverse flotel user community. The result is a single dynamic IP voice and data network that has the capability to accommodate multiple networks with single channel per carrier (SCPC) service. Furthermore, each flotel is equipped with secure virtual local area networks (VLANs), which ensure data security for both Prosafe personnel and client users.
Unique service offerings
To further enhance the user’s connectivity experience, the following customer-centric items were included in the fleet-wide service package:
- wireless Internet café
- prepaid DigiTalk calling cards, supported by the Schlumberger global satellite telephone communication system.
Additionally, this infrastructure will support IP TV entertainment—television over IP— in every cabin as a possible future enhancement.
Successful installations
First two flotels completed
In January 2008, the new network infrastructure was successfully installed on the first Prosafe Offshore flotel, MSV Regalia. This installation was followed by the Safe Bristolia in Singapore, and installations in the remainder of the flotel fleet will be completed by SIS technicians according to the project schedule.
Exemplary field support provided
The SIS engineering team was able to install the first of the fleet’s infrastructures in record time due to extensive experience working in offshore environments, where constraints like severe and often dangerous weather conditions can delay job completion. Prosafe Offshore recognized the extra efforts of the SIS team by presenting Awards of Excellence for field support to several of the technicians.
Benefits delivered
Customers and crew aboard the upgraded flotels are now enjoying reliable global connectivity services with the new state-of-the-art network infrastructure. They are also benefitting from the status-monitoring capabilities of the MyVSAT portal, which allows them to conduct smooth business and personal communications activities while offshore. Downtime has decreased and will continue to do so, thanks to implementation of the stabilized antenna systems and global satellite coverage. Ultimately, once the entire fleet is upgraded, Prosafe Offshore expects significant cost savings by having all of its offshore communications services consolidated into a fixed-price package provided by a single vendor. The company is considering the same upgrades for its fleet of floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels, which would further benefit from the MyVSAT feature of real-time vessel location tracking.
Schlumberger Information Solutions
Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) is an operating unit of Schlumberger that provides software, information management, IT, and related services. SIS collaborates closely with oil and gas companies to solve today’s tough reservoir challenges with an open business approach and comprehensive solution deployment. Through our technologies and services, oil and gas companies empower their people to improve business performance by reducing exploration and development risk and optimizing operational efficiencies.
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