Satellite Firm Signals Offshore Target

Q: In what ways are the Internet of Things, SCADA and Big Data impacting the productivity of key industries?

A: Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technologies require a low bandwidth, which means it is a low-cost service that enables companies to keep efficient records even on a low budget. In terms of the Internet of Things, much of the equipment in the oil and gas industry must be monitored and a satellite link ensures the continuity of the information. In most cases it is the only option due to budget restrictions.

Given the tremendous amount of equipment being connected to the web with Big Data, we have developed several effective solutions for clients. When sending data directly to the client, the client installs equipment on our network operations center and we process part of the information. The client can then isolate the important information through our systems to send to the mainframe, unloading significant capacity from its own site.

Q: How is GlobalSat reacting to the drop in oil and commodity prices?

A: At GlobalSat, we have developed new solutions to help our clients with their economic situation. We have a tariff where the client pays only for the amount of bandwidth used and if the initial purchase limit is exceeded, more can be bought. We have also given clients flexibility and power through the cloud to login to their account to monitor usage levels. The solution can be used to limit costs and transmit only the required information instead of a steady stream that could not be closely controlled. Admittedly, pricing factors affect our industry but we are still growing, due largely to the support and services we provide. In terms of availability for links, we offer 99.5 percent but the level we actually deliver is significantly higher. It is these points of added value that foster so much client loyalty for our company.

Q: What developments in the sector can help boost GlobalSat’s market presence?

A: Firstly, new operators will enter after the concessions for the new fields are awarded and due to the diverse nature of the operations, several companies will be operating on one well, such as drilling companies, service providers and maintenance staff, all of which will require our services. One of the most important things we want to do is provide reliable offshore services, for which we have formed an alliance with CommSystems. Since we have the experience in managing and providing the links and this company specializes in equipment provision for offshore facilities, we feel this will be a promising partnership.

We are providing services at a considerably lower cost than what is available on the market, at easily 40 percent less than the average rate, and I believe this will be an extremely successful initiative.

These companies also require more bandwidth every day and in Mexico the options are limited. There are solutions such as KA band that can provide a higher bandwidth at a lower cost but it is extremely susceptible to rainfall and adverse weather conditions, so it is not the most appropriate option for oil and gas activities. However, we are working closely with Intelsat to provide services with high-throughput KU band satellites, which means we will be able to provide lower costs with coverage across all of Mexico and the Gulf, with higher bandwidths and more reliable service when faced with extreme weather conditions.

I believe this strategy will be an attractive offering for the sector, particularly for those operators in the Gulf of Mexico. We have been relatively active in the onshore oil market, whereas we have not had much of a presence offshore. Therefore, this is our strategy for entering this market.