Challenge
In 2008, as Apache Corporation upgraded its suite of drilling engineering software and data management tools, initial testing and implementation indicated a need for increased bandwidth and communications system reliability. This testing and implementation work resulted in a search for alternatives to the rig operators’ conventional satellite and landline systems—the traditional solutions used for rig communications.
The need was basic—a network that would provide a real-time, continuous communications link from remote rig sites to corporate servers located in Houston. Advanced well-logging and real-time collaboration with corporate resources housed in distant cities requires communication links with higher bandwidth and lower latency rates. The nature of the land-based rig site is nomadic, with drilling periods that generally range from fourteen (14) to seventy-five (75) days. The operation moves from one remote location to another within days, necessitating the ability to easily re-establish a high-speed communications link to be used by the operating company, drilling company and other subcontractors on the site. Traditionally, each remote drilling and production site was limited to a low-speed, high-latency satellite communications link that proved to be very expensive and could not easily accommodate real-time collaboration involving the transfer of high-bandwidth files or any applications requiring high-capacity bandwidth. Cellular coverage, if available, did not have the speed or capacity to support advanced 3G digital services.
Solution
ERF Wireless, Inc., a Houston-based Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP), collaborated with key Apache personnel to deliver more than ten times the bandwidth (128 Kbs to 1.5 mbps) and less than one eighth of the latency (60ms) of traditional VSAT systems—all on a nomadic trailer platform. A Mobile Broadband Trailer System (MBTS) was developed by ERF Wireless to provide the same fixed-location, high-capacity communications service it has been providing to other commercial enterprises in the Permian Basin and elsewhere in Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana, but with nomadic capabilities.
Results
The Mobile Broadband Trailer System facilitated real-time, continuous communications between key personnel at the remote well site to corporately secured servers at Apache’s Houston headquarters, enabling drilling and geophysical experts to access drilling and well data in real-time. The increased transmission speed of critical decision-making data saved overall rig time, reduced risk and exceeded the requirements set by the Apache drilling group, thereby providing more efficient work flows. The faster broadband speeds allow more complex software applications to be run from the well site which is not possible with traditional VSAT connections. It is also possible to expand this service from a point to point connection to a WiFi cloud coverage allowing several locations to connect simultaneously without a reduction in bandwidth or an increase in latency. This could provide an economic method to better monitor permanent well and surface sensors allowing for better field production management. In addition, Apache documented that the new broadband from ERF Wireless was delivered at a cost in line with traditional VSAT services.
Multiple Stakeholders Need Real-Time Data for Fast Decisions
It is the natural evolution of any good business plan to seek new efficiencies. Adopting a high-capacity network for data transmission from the field would naturally result in less administrative time on several levels, leading to a more productive drilling process. Larry Rader, Drilling Technical Advisor for Apache’s Central Region, called upon Pat Moller for assistance. Mr. Moller, Process Control Systems Advisor, had incorporated the use of high-speed microwave networks for packet transport in the Production SCADA networks. Although the packet sizes were much smaller in the SCADA reporting, the concept of network speed could be applied to the drilling side of Apache, which required faster networks and lower packet latency rates to handle voluminous information flow.
ERF Wireless was already providing high-speed Internet to Apache’s Forbes field office 50 miles from Lubbock, Texas. This particular field office was located more than a mile off the local roads. ERF Wireless was able to provide more than 5 Mbps of Internet bandwidth to the site via its microwave broadband network—typical of its Permian Basin network speeds. Realizing the need for better communications capability in the oil and gas field, the Oil and Gas Division of ERF Wireless began to pursue a strategy whereby the Mobile Broadband Trailer System already used by ERF for emergency response situations, an unfortunate but common occurrence across the Gulf Coast over the last several years, could be customized to address these communications needs. This Production field office became the initial test bed for microwave communications for Apache’s drilling operations. After initial testing, Mr. Rader commented, “I am seeing Internet connection speeds at this field office as fast as those I experience in my corporate offices in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.” ERF Wireless, a company that specializes in developing and deploying innovative communication solutions, added this new Oil and Gas product to its already successful lineup of banking and enterprise solutions.
Monitoring the Communication Links
In addition to providing Mobile Broadband Trailer Systems to Apache’s remote rig sites, ERF Wireless also provides a monitoring service that tracks the performance of each piece of communications equipment on a 24/7 basis. The Network Operations Center personnel located at ERF Wireless’ corporate offices have the ability to spot a problem prior to the customer’s detection and repair the link remotely. ERF Wireless has highly trained personnel available for on-site problem resolution in keeping with the stringent Service Level Agreements provided to Apache and other customers. The commitment to Apache is to have the communication links operational as quickly as possible, while maintaining a 99.95% reliability index during the course of the drilling and production operation periods.
Real-Time Decisions Save Time and Money
ERF Wireless and Apache Corporation believe that “real-time” decision-making abilities, enhanced by the real-time delivery of packets, make drilling and production operations more efficient from a time and knowledge perspective, thereby making each day more productive. The dynamic management of data and communications can expedite the on-site processes and abbreviate the time spent at the site.
Conclusion
During the course of the past year, ERF Wireless and Apache Corporation have worked together to develop a state-of-the-art, high-speed IP communication system that has parlayed a microwave broadband network into a useful tool for Oil and Gas operators, enabling the deployment of faster, more efficient networks to the field. ERF Wireless’ Mobile Broadband Trailer System is nomadic and matches the urgency required by the Industry to get to remote sites quickly and cost-effectively with the resilience to withstand the rugged terrain and variable conditions. These communication links have proven much faster with much lower latency than standard VSAT satellite links and are offered at competitive pricing to the operators. The drilling and production applications being used today require more bandwidth than ever before as better subsurface control is required to reduce drilling time and improve reservoir knowledge. ERF Wireless’ higher bandwidth makes those applications, along with support for Voice over IP and real-time video, a reality today.
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