How Do Offshore Communications Work?

Thirty years ago communications between offshore facilities and onshore locations was limited
to a two-way radio and daily reports. Back then, oilfield workers stationed offshore were virtually
cut off from the rest of the world. Additionally, the amount of staff required on each rig and
facility offshore was great because all the information to make decisions was gathered at these
remote locations.
Offshore communications have come a long way since then. Now, real-time communications
networks not only allow for wi-fi connectivity and personal cell phone use, but also real-time
transfer of offshore data to onshore offices. Allowing for remote unmanned and totally subsea
developments, the way the offshore industry works has been transformed by improved
communications systems.

Telecommunications Technologies
There are a number of communications technologies that can work together in a system or
singly to solve offshore communications challenges. Communications solutions are chosen
because of the distance data must travel, the remoteness of the installation, and the amount of
data that must be transmitted, as well as the availability of the technology. Different
communications technologies include satellite, microwave, fiber optics, and cellular services.

Satellite Installation on an Offshore FacilitySource: : Schlumberger

The most widely chosen solution for offshore communications, satellite communications
requires a VSAT, or very small aperture terminal, at the offshore site; a broadband satellite
connection in space; and a teleport onshore. Available anywhere in the world, satellite services
are used many times for vessels that may be on the move, or extremely remote locations. The
only drawbacks to satellite services are a slight delay in data transmittal and finite bandwidth.
Using microwave telecommunications technology, data is transported via wavelengths that
measure less than one meter in length. Microwave communications solutions offer more
bandwidth for data, but at shorter distances. Many times, microwave telecommunications are
chosen for locations that are within close proximity to each other, such as a cluster of facilities
on a field.

Umbilical Containing Fiber Communications CablesSource: JDR Cable Systems

Although limited because cables must be run from point to point, fiber is an optimal
communications solution for clustered facilities or offshore locations that are in high-traffic areas,
such as the North Sea or US Gulf of Mexico. Also, fiber cables are used to transmit data
between subsea trees, manifolds, jumpers, sleds and controls via umbilicals.
Even cellular services can be accessible at some locations offshore. Specifically, the US Gulf of
Mexico has cellular towers installed offshore that allow cellular communications from rigs and
platforms near the coast to onshore locations, allowing offshore workers to communicate
through their own private cell phones.

Integrated Solutions
Sometimes, a telecommunications solution for an offshore development might require satellite
communications to a main facility and microwave or fiber between wells or facilities within the
development. In other words, a unique combination of telecommunications technologies is
integrated into each offshore situation, which allows everything from real-time transfer of data
from subsea wells to office-like environments at offshore facilities.
Because real-time transmittal of data is available now in offshore environments, not as many
workers are required for rigs and developments located offshore. Advances in
telecommunications technologies have made immediate decisions to be made from shore. Now,
offshore developments are trending toward unmanned and completely subsea installations.
Furthermore, improvements in offshore communication technologies have improved work-life
balance environments for those workers who are required to work at these remote locations.
Now, offshore staff is able to use wi-fi, talk to family and friends on the phone and watch
television during their off time.