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VSAT Applications for Oil/Gas Drilling and Seismic Explorations 

A.N. Al-Baharna

Communications Engineering and Technical Support Department

Satellite Engineering Group

SAUDI ARAMCO

West Park #3121, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia

Email:baharnan@aramco.com.sa 
 

Abstract 

This paper will explore the advantages of Satellite-based communications particularly VSAT for the Oil and Gas Industry. Within the energy industry, there are numerous applications for VSAT. The shared common factor for all of these applications is cost effectiveness and flexibility. The Oil and Gas operations today are competing aggressively with time. The less time it takes to explore and drill for oil and gas reservoirs the more savings for the company. VSAT technology has helped leverage the oil and gas industry by providing a common medium to transport voice, video and data from anywhere to anywhere. Hence, VSAT provides a scalable, cost-effective and flexible network assisting the Oil and Gas Industry daily operation needs.  

Keywords: VSAT, Satellite, Leverage, Single medium, Cost-effectiveness  
 

1   Introduction

As Oil exploration, drilling and production is expanding throughout the world, Oil and Gas companies are seeking new information transport solutions to enhance efficiencies and lower costs [2]. In addition to the traditional pipelines that stretch thousands of miles across the ocean floors and the continental terrains, Oil and Gas companies are continuously turning to Communication Pipelines that reach thousands of miles up in the sky and through which flow billions of bits and bytes of communications traffic. 

Current and future needs exceed simple voice connectivity. Modern exploration and drilling operations generate significant volumes of complex data and telemetry that need to be transmitted in a timely fashion to decision makers at the home office [2]. Since wired fiber infrastructure is not available in most frontiers the communications infrastructure must be wireless or satellite-based. 
 
 
 


2   VSAT Overview 
Communication systems based on VSATs- Very Small Aperture Terminals- constitutes a major area in satellite communications, with potential to provide solutions across a range of applications [1]. They can offer flexible and cost-effective network services, based on a variety of traffic and multimedia requirements.
 

VSAT stands for “Very Small Aperture Terminal and refers to a ground station or earth terminal (typically between 1-2.4m), which is part of a network providing communication services via satellite. 

      I-         VSAT Components 

      As shown in Figure 1, the VSAT system is composed of an Outdoor unit and Indoor unit. 

      Outdoor Unit (ODU): This is mainly the RF components of the VSAT system which can be considered as the interface to the space segment. The Outdoor unit is comprised of a parabolic antenna, Low Noise Block (LNB) for amplifying the received signal, Power Amplifier (PA) to transmit the signal. 

      Indoor Unit (IDU): The indoor unit is typically the satellite modem which provides the modulation, demodulation, multiplexing, de-multiplexing and synchronization with the rest of the network and supports the user interfaces. This box is usually about the size of a domestic video recorder.  
        

               Figure1. VSAT Components. 
             
             
             
             

  1. VSAT frequencies:

      The VSAT equipment operates in several frequencies. ( see table below) 
       

                               Table 1. VSAT Frequencies. 
           

      Naturally, radio signals are affected by the medium they pass through if it is not a perfect vacuum. The wavelength of the radio signal and the characteristics of the particles in the medium will determine the level of interaction between the medium and the signal [4]. For example, the Ku-band signal is more prone to signal losses during rain. This loss is due to the high frequency characteristic of the Ku-Band ( 12-14 GHz). Whereas a C-band signal (4-6 GHz) wonÂ’t get much affected during rain. The choice of the VSAT frequency is based on the applications and the environment natures of the operating site. Ku-band and Ka-Band frequencies can get higher data-rates transmitted and received through small diameter dishes, however, if they are installed in a country were there are heavy rains, the performance of the link will not be optimum. On the other hand the lower frequency of C band achieves less signal losses during rain, and requires an antenna diameter of at least 2.4 m to support high data rate applications. So generally there are trade-offs on how the user wants to design the network and what applications he is looking for. 

      The Ka-Band frequency is a very promising frequency. The 25-30 GHz frequency range will assist in utilizing even smaller dish sizes than the Ku-band for high-speed applications ( typically less than 1m for speeds up-to 2mb/s or even higher sometimes). Commercial satellites with Ka-band frequencies are already being designed and ready to be launched. The Spaceway Satellite (owned by Hughes Networks) to be in orbit by 2003 is one of them.

 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 

  III-         VSAT Configurations 

VSAT systems may be operated in a STAR configuration or a MESH configuration. 

      STAR: This architecture is referred to as a STAR configuration, since all the traffic from the remote sites have to access a centralized Hub to access the required information [1]. Moreover, if any two remotes require communications between them they need to access the Hub first. 
       
       

      MESH: This architecture is referred to as a MESH configuration, since any remote site can communicate directly with any other VSAT [1]. In other words, the remote sites donÂ’t require a Hub to communicate to each other. 

Alternatively a VSAT network can have a hybrid network of STAR and MESH by mixing both architectures within one VSAT network. 
 
 

  IV-       VSAT Access Technologies 

      There are two main access technologies in VSAT systems. The first is the Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) and the second is Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). 

      FDMA: In FDMA, a given sub-band of a transponder is allocated to a certain user.  Furthermore, each VSAT station is assigned a single frequency. This method is called Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC). The SCPC access scheme is defined when a frequency is allocated to a VSAT station to communicate with a central Hub or another remote station. The frequency is not shared but is dedicated for that remote station all the time.  

      TDMA: On the other hand, TDMA technology is the opposite of SCPC. The frequency is shared among several remote sites and is assigned on demand. Whenever there is a requirement to transmit information, the frequency is allocated to that station. Once that station is finished the frequency is released for another station to use it. 
       

3   VSAT Applications 

   I-       Drilling 

      The frequent moves of the Rigs cause chaos for operators struggling to schedule and coordinate the mobilization of major structures, personnel and supplies while maintaining safe and profitable operations. 

      VSAT satellite networks are designed to provide connectivity immediately upon arrival at a new location. Drilling operations typically require:

  • Telephones
  • Fax, scanners, copiers
  • Ethernet interfaces, routers
  • Internet/Intranet/e-mail
  • Video streaming/video conferencing
  • Distant learning for self-development

 

    All of those applications are supported reliably by the VSAT terminal.

VSAT allows for the real-time transmission of drilling data vital to the drilling operations. The rigs managers/supervisors can keep track of the activities of various rigs from which they can analyse data immediately to recommend changes, identify potential operational and safety hazards or even request further information on the drilled Oil/Gas well [3]. 

Furthermore, the immediate connectivity of VSAT will save a lot of time and money on the drilling operation. Typically the operation of the Rig costs $20,000/day for an onshore rig and $50,000/day for the off-shore Rig. By utilizing LWD (Logging While Drilling) mechanism in conjunction with the VSAT technology the Rigs can expedite the drilling operation and achieve more productivity of the reservoirs. Hence, the shorter the drill period the more money is saved for the company. In addition to that, the reliable communications of VSAT makes it more adequate for the safety regulations of the drilling operations. 
 
 

Figure 2. VSAT application for Drilling. 
 
 

II-         SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) For Oil and Gas Wells 

Oil and Gas companies require monitoring of their pipelines and wells to ensure the safety operation of these wells and pipelines and also to anticipate abnormal conditions that might lead to disasters.

These metering and control points are typically in remote areas with limited access to power and any communications infrastructure. This is one of the challenges that faces the energy industry today, especially Oil and Gas companies that have thousands of oil and gas wells scattered in remote areas [3].

This challenge is overcome today by several techniques. One of those techniques is using hybrid technology of Satellite and terrestrial radio (Figure. 3). Because each well needs an average data rate of 9.6 Kb/s, installing a VSAT terminal at each well is not cost-effective at the time being ( Once the price of the VSAT terminals drops, the installation of a VSAT terminal at each well can be revisited). Therefore, oil and gas wells are fixed with radio communications to communicate with a single base station (a single base station can take on 150-200 nodes) which is interfaced with a VSAT terminal that will transfer the collected data from all the wells at the base station to the corporate headquarters. By utilizing this technique the VSAT terminal is advantageous because the base-station does not require multiple repeater hops or thousands of fiber/copper reels and regenerators to replicate the data to the corporate headquarters. Also, by providing such a solution means that the data center resides within the corporate premises. This offers more inherent security. 
 
 

                        Figure 3. VSAT application for SCADA. 

III-      Seismic Explorations 

Onshore

As the petroleum industry moves to explore new prospects that are more remote, the need for an intelligent, flexible and high-performance communications infrastructure to support remote operations has become more critical. The oil industry spends between $60 and $65 billion each year on oil exploration [2].  The oil industry does not typically conduct oil exploration and production activities near population centers. As a result the best solution is to deploy satellite services.  

For onshore explorations, the seismic crews need to communicate with their superiors at the headquarters to update drawings, send morning reports and ship seismic data for analysis. Today the existing VSAT terminals in the market can ship the large seismic files that reach up to gigabytes. However, it depends on the access scheme to the satellite system. On of the techniques utilized today is shipping the terabytes data through high speed terminals that communicate with on-board processing satellites that relay the data to the headquarters. This technique is more popular with the offshore seismic explorations. 
 
 

Offshore:

Similar to the onshore applications, the offshore crews require to communicate with their superiors and also to transfer the large seismic files. The most challenging of the offshore data transfer challenges involves moving seismic data from moving vessels while they are on the prospective exploration site. To support such explorations, NASA has a fleet of seven satellites called the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) in geo-synchronous orbit with worldwide up-link coverage. The data is received at the NASA receiving station at White Sands Center.  

These satellites are being utilized by the SeismicStar system. The SeismicStar system is a complete turnkey service consisting of all equipment, maintenance , licenses, fiber connectivity, training to deliver raw uncompressed marine 3-D seismic data to a land processing center located anywhere in the world. 

The SeismicStar system consists of a shipboard satellite receiving station and transmission elements, capable of transmitting data at 311 Mb/s [5]. A dayÂ’s 3-D seismic production of 150 Gigabytes of data can be transmitted and received in the U.S in 81 minutes [5]. Onboard components include a motion stabilized 2.4 m antenna with radome, two 155 Mb/s modems, file and communication servers, GPS, satellite phone, 1 Terabyte of RAID storage , associated electronics and administrative software.  

Because of the unique design and the very large bandwidth of the NASA TDRS satellites, the SeismicStar transmission is by far the fastest commercial satellite capability in the world. The point to point SeismicStar is over 3000 times faster than Inmarsat, which is the only other satellite constellation with ocean coverage [5]. 
 
 
 

Figure 4. SeismicStar System. 

Early delivery of seismic data at the client processing center can add substantial value to the client oil company. Value to the oil company is derived mainly from the early delivery of the final displays , which can cause earlier generation of drillable prospects and earlier realization of cash flows associated with hydrocarbons production. These cash flows can be reinvested earlier, and due to the time value of money, can add $2 to $4 million to an oil companyÂ’s value for each 3-D survey delivered early [5]. 
 
 
 

                      

            Figure 5.  NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) 
       
       

  1. Conclusion

 

    The VSAT technology is one that has truly helped to improve the performance of the Oil and Gas Industry. Satellite communications (through VSAT) has helped leverage and enhance the Oil and Gas daily operation needs. Whether the operations are on-shore or off-shore, satellite communications has erased all border lines by providing a single wireless infrastructure to transmit voice, video and data via a single medium over any distance. This technology can take on the challenges that are facing the Exploration and Drilling managers/engineers today by supporting various services to manage and optimize network availability. 

    Satellite Communications can maximize return on investment for the Oil and Gas industry by enabling the drilling and seismic exploration crews achieve greater efficiencies by utilizing a single infrastructure to transport voice, video and data. 
     

    Acknowledgement

    The author acknowledges the support of M.I. Al-Dhamen General Supervisor of Communications and Infrastructure Engineering Division, Majid J.Al-Majid Supervisor Telephone and Switching Group, Abdulaziz Al-Ismail IT Strategic Planner, Rami Al-Mushcab Supervisor Transmission Engineering Group and Hussain Al-Jarrash Supervisor Satellite Engineering Group. 
     

    References 

    [1]   Maral, G. ‘VSAT NetworksÂ’

            John Wiley & Sons, 1995 (ISBN 0 471 95302 4)

    [2]   Space Business International , Journal 1999 

            Global VSAT Forum

    [3]   Space Business International, Journal 2000

            Global VSAT Forum

    [4]   Evans B.G. (ed). ‘ Satellite Communication SystemsÂ’

            (Peter Perigrinus), 2nd edn 1991, 3rd edn 1999 ISBN 0 85296 899 X

      [5]   William K. Aylor, SpaceData Int'l LLC, Offshore, August 2001

      Biography 
       

    Ahmed Al-Baharna is a satellite communications engineer currently working on the Saudi Aramco VSAT Project. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications Engineering from the University of Kent, UK, in 1999. Ahmed has contributed to various projects at Saudi Aramco such as the re-engineering of the corporate transmission International Network and the Digital Data Network (DDN). 

    Ahmed Al-Baharna is a member of various professional societies including IEE, The Bahrain Society of Engineers (BSE), Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), The Internet Society (ISCO) and the International Engineering Consortium. He has achieved various awards for his contribution with two presentations “High-Speed Metropolitan Networks Evolution” in 2001 and “VSAT Applications for Drilling and Seismic Explorations” in 2002 at the “Communication Engineering Technical Exchange Meeting” held at Dammam.  
     

 

 

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