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Alcatel develops submarine cable system for oil and gas [Oil & Gas News](Oil & Gas News Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) OIL and gas exploration and recovery are rapidly advancing into challenging geographic areas. These new oil and gas fields can be as deep as 3,000 metres or more. Such depths necessitate fixed or 'free floating' platforms. To date, communications to and from the platforms have generally been via microwave or satellite which are limited by distance and not always reliable in bad weather conditions. Oil and gas companies are now starting to see the advantages of using subsea fibre-optic technology, which delivers high quality, high reliability and low latency communication systems. This is where Alcatel-Lucent has stepped in. A world leader in the design, manufacture and installation of submarine networks, it has experience and expertise in submarine optical fibre systems, which can be adapted to address the needs of the oil and gas sector. Let's look at the example of a recent industrial project developed by Alcatel-Lucent, says Patricia Boulanger, head of research, development and industrialisation at Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (Calais, France). "We are talking about eleven fixed platforms, located in Asia, several hundred kilometres off the coast at water depths of more than a hundred metres. Using this project as a first step to penetrate this new business segment, we are now ready to go further and deeper!" Several challenges were faced to make this project a success. For instance, the cable and associated products have to resist severe mechanical and environmental constraints for the working life of the communication system – 30 years, she adds. To anticipate efficient platform connections and operations, simulations of installation were performed on all of the developed products. As you can imagine, the actual deployment was done in a confined marine environment that leaves no space for errors or mistakes. This is why the project combined innovations in the design of the products with rigorous engineering. The development project was completed in eight months, a very short timeframe compared to our normal telecom projects, which are generally two or three times longer. Last but not least, the regulations and standards for work in the oil and gas sector are even more complex than our standard submarine environment. Our strict submarine procedures were reinforced with specific requirements demanded by the sector. For this project the subsea cable had to cross 25 pipelines, so concrete 'mattresses' were laid on top of the cable for protection at these areas. Also, bringing a ship to lay cable in close proximity to a gas platform had to be very tightly controlled. The eleven platforms are now connected and testing of the system is in progress, she conlcudes. Alcatel-Lucent's dynamic communications for oil and gas solution offers a highly reliable and secured communications network that provides optimal supervision and greater control of industrial processes in the following segments: Pipeline Communications; Off-Shore Communications and Wellhead Automation. Oil and gas projects in these segments are characterised by very harsh and dangerous industrial environments, such as extreme climates, explosive gasses and remote locations accessible only by helicopter. Accidents can lead to major human and environmental consequences and loss of production can lead to heavy financial losses that can reach $5 million per day. Alcatel-Lucent has proven experience in designing for, and working in, such demanding environments to provide end-to-end solutions and services, comprising a range of Alcatel-Lucent and OEM subsystems. BENEFITS In addition to maintaining the integrity and availability of the operational network, oil and gas customers are increasingly challenged to achieve operational efficiency, enhanced workforce productivity, improved security, TCO optimisation and network support improvements. Alcatel-Lucent provides specialised solutions to achieve such results and offers oil and gas EPCs a single point of accountability to ensure that the small but critical communications scope does not hinder the overall project schedule. Alcatel-Lucent has the expertise to take away the complexity and risk of managing several suppliers and integrating many subsystems. Alcatel-Lucent's dynamic communications for oil and gas solution allows companies to significantly reduce their capital and operational expenses by: • Deploying a cost-effective, single multi-service, QoS-enabled network that minimises the types of cabling and platforms (for new projects); • Migrating ageing, disparate networks to a cost-effective, single multi-service, QoS-enabled network (for existing infrastructure); • Outsourcing network operations and maintenance to a trusted partner. In addition to reducing capital and operational expenses, Alcatel-Lucent's dynamic communications for oil and gas solution provides highly reliable operations with a low risk, "Smooth Sailing" eventless construction phase, improved security, as well as increased workforce productivity and satisfaction. Joins forces with JGC Corporation to enhance efficiency and workforce safety at new LNG plant in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Alcatel-Lucent is to provide global engineering contractor JGC Corporation and its subsidiary, PT JGC Indonesia, with advanced communications technology for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant they are constructing in Indonesia for PT Donggi-Senoro LNG (DSLNG). Alcatel-Lucent's provision of a fully integrated communications and security system will enhance the safety and security of workers at the plant, while at the same time improving operational efficiency through the application of state-of-the-art data networks. DSLNG provides an opportunity to develop gas reserves that have been stranded for many decades. Indonesia's national energy company PT Pertamina (Persero) and PT Medco Energi Internasional, Tbk., together with international companies, namely Mitsubishi Corporation and Korea Gas Corporation, took the initiative to develop those gas reserves. The high-bandwidth communications network will support real-time delivery of essential system performance data, including management and notification of potential issues, providing the company all the information it needs to remotely monitor and maintain the plant. Donggi-Senoro is the fourth LNG complex in Indonesia and production will begin in the fourth quarter 2014. The plant will receive feed gas from the gas fields of Senoro-Toili and Matindok in the region and deliver LNG to Japanese Power companies Chubu Electric and Kyushu Electric as well as Korea Gas Corporation. Tokutaro Nomura, executive officer, senior manager of procurement department, International Project Division of JGC Corporation says:"We are pleased to be working with Alcatel-Lucent again as our reliable telecommunication systems supplier on this project. Alcatel-Lucent has excellent expertise and industry-leading project management skills for the integration of telecommunication systems. We expect this project to confirm a long-lasting working relationship." Rajeev Singh-Molares, president of Alcatel-Lucent Asia-Pacific says: "Alcatel-Lucent is building a world-class communications system for Donggi-Senoro. The system will make the operations more efficient and deliver the vital security an energy facility needs." Alcatel-Lucent will provide a complete communications system integrating its enterprise-optimised local area network (LAN) and IP-PABX phone systems. Alcatel-Lucent also will integrate a variety of equipment from third-party suppliers, including TETRA-based UHF radio with tower/shelter, VHF radio systems, CCTV monitoring, public alarm/general alarm (PA/GA) system, video conference system, access and gate control system, ship-to-shore communication system and a weather monitoring system. Alcatel-Lucent will provide its market-leading services capabilities including system design, project management and supervision of installation and commissioning, documentation, procurement, integrated testing and logistics. The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading innovator in the field of networking and communications technology, products and services. The company is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost research centers, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent was named one of MIT Technology Review's 2012 top 50 list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" for breakthroughs such as lightRadio, which cuts power consumption and operating costs on wireless networks while delivering lightning fast Internet access. Through such innovations, Alcatel-Lucent is making communications more sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as we pursue our mission – Realising the Potential of a Connected World. With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organisations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company achieved revenues of €15.3 billion in 2011 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris. Link for the Dynamic Communications for Oil & Gas: (c) 2012 Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |