Two deepwater hydrocarbon production facilities in the Keathley Canyon will be connected to a region-wide communications network after hundreds of kilometres of fibre optic cables are installed in the next few years
Around 400 km of fibre optic cable will be installed in the US Gulf to connect new floating oil and gas processing facilities in one of the growing deepwater hydrocarbon-producing areas.
Facilities operated by Beacon Offshore Energy and LLOG Exploration will become hubs for connectivity to vessels, drilling rigs and other future infrastructure in the Keathley Canyon in the Gulf.
Investment in fibre optic cables comes after Tampnet awarded connectivity contracts for two new deepwater developments in the canyon.
Tampnet said it would provide subsea optical fibre and 5G connectivity to both assets, ensuring secure, real-time data transfer between offshore installations and onshore operations centres.
“The network will support digital twins and remote visualisation tools, improving monitoring, planning and execution while enhancing safety and reducing reliance on vessels and helicopters,” said the Norwegian company.
Following the expansion, Tampnet’s network will exceed 1,900 km of subsea fibre, connecting 24 offshore facilities, mostly in deep and ultra-deep waters in the US Gulf from 2029.
“These developments demonstrate how digitalisation and standardisation can be used to reshape deepwater field execution,” said Tampnet chief executive Elie Hanna.
“Tampnet’s network is an enabler for realising gains in safety, efficiency and cost through reliable, low-latency connectivity,” he said.
“The projects strengthen our long-term position in the US Gulf as a leading provider of critical offshore connectivity, supporting the digital transformation of offshore energy operations in the region.”
Tampnet currently delivers connectivity to more than 100 offshore units across the region, including production platforms, drilling rigs and support vessels.
