Australia: Motorola Solutions Completes QCLNG Communications Network

Motorola Solutions announced the successful completion of a dedicated communications network for Queensland Gas Corporation’s liquefied natural gas project.

The network, valued at AUD$32 million, is now one of the largest TETRA wireless networks in the Australia, having expanded from its original scope to include all communications in the field while the organisation’s fibre network is being deployed.

The expanded scope has ensured the company successfully meets its exploration schedule, by enabling the gathering of telemetry information at the wellhead and transmission of data in real-time to its central command centres.

In addition, the evolving data capabilities of the digital technology have enabled QGC to use the TETRA network for all of its critical communications in the field. The backbone microwave network is currently supporting CCTV cameras in remote areas, as well as operational functions such as email, telephony and printing.

Motorola Solutions has been working with QGC on the deployment of the 28-site digital radio network since 2011. The microwave and TETRA digital radio system provides a wide area communication network, linking the central processing plant in the gas fields to its processing plants, field compression stations, main line valve stations, Chinchilla office and logistics facility and its corporate office in Brisbane.

The microwave and TETRA telecommunications infrastructure includes vehicle terminals with GPS tracking, hand-held terminals, desk terminals, dispatcher console and voice recording facility. To date, more than 1,500 subscribers have been deployed for staff on the ground.

With microwave infrastructure throughput capacity reaching 200MB on larger links within the network, QGC has been able to utilise the network to not only enhance safety, but also meet its exploration schedule through the gathering of telemetry information and transmission of critical data such as maps and seismic readings across its remote sites.

QGC’s liquefied natural gas project is one of Australia’s largest capital infrastructure projects, involving expanding exploration and development in southern and central Queensland, and transporting gas through a 540km underground pipeline network to Curtis Island near Gladstone where it will be liquefied.

Steven Crutchfield, managing director, Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand: “Digital communications is fast becoming an integral part of unified communications across the resources industry – particularly to mobilise workers quickly and enhance safety across what are often remote and rugged locations. The ability to support business applications as well as provide secure, cost effective voice communications in the field not only ensures increased worker safety, but also increased efficiency, opening greater opportunities for critical data to be transmitted across sites as remote as wellheads.”

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LNG World News Staff, November 14, 2013; Image: QCLNG