Brazil: Brasdril Selects Harris CapRock’s VSAT Communications Service for Its Fleet

Harris CapRock Communications, a global provider of fully managed communications for remote and harsh environments, has signed a four-year renewal contract with major drilling contractor Brasdril for turnkey, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) communications to 13 of its semisubmersibles and drillships, located along the coast of Brazil.

Brasdril Sociedade De Perfurasções Ltda, located in Macaé, Brazil, is a fully owned and operated subsidiary of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., based in Houston, Texas.

Harris CapRock will deploy a fully managed, end-to-end VSAT communications solution to enable corporate networking, Internet access and voice services. Brasdril will also receive increased bandwidth as part of the regional network solution, along with equipment, installation, maintenance and 24/7 service and support from Harris CapRock’s Customer Support Center.

The solution will enable Brasdril to extend its corporate network to its drilling assets and upgrade communications technology and overall standardization of its customer site maintenance. In addition, Brasdril will receive a bandwidth increase for 11 sites. The bandwidth increase is a result of growing data and application support demands on the client’s existing network.

“Our Brasdril subsidiary operates in a region that continues to experience exceptional growth in its oil and gas industry,” said Gary Krenek, senior vice president, Diamond Offshore. “With a significant portion of our drilling assets in Brazil, it’s imperative that we implement a consistent approach in our communications onboard these vessels to ensure optimal efficiencies across our fleet, regardless of where rigs are located around the globe. Additionally, Harris CapRock is meeting our needs for increased bandwidth on the majority of the fleet, along with providing full management of our customer sites, which includes preventive maintenance on antennas and other equipment. This level of support further enables our personnel to focus on the task at hand at a more efficient level.”

Harris CapRock was selected as Brasdril’s continued communications provider as a result of the organization’s long-standing partnership with Brasdril and its parent company, Diamond Offshore. Harris CapRock is currently providing communications services to the majority of Diamond Offshore and its business divisions’ assets worldwide.

“Brazil represents a region of growth and opportunity in this industry, and with Harris CapRock’s local service and support to its customers in Brazil, the partnerships we have with industry-leading companies such as Brasdril are testament to our growing and established presence in the region,” said Tom Eaton, president, Harris CapRock. “We are dedicated to continue meeting Brasdril’s communications requirements.”

Harris CapRock is expanding its products and services portfolio in the region to include broader offerings beyond satellite communications capabilities. The company is providing innovative service provisions to help customers and to keep pace with the growth of the region.

Harris CapRock Communications is a premier, global provider of managed satellite and terrestrial communications solutions, specifically for remote and harsh environments including the energy, government and maritime markets. Harris CapRock owns and operates a robust global infrastructure that includes teleports on six continents, five 24/7 customer support centers, local presence in 23 countries and more than 275 global field service personnel supporting customer locations across North America, Central and South America, Europe, West Africa and Asia Pacific.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, June 27, 2012; Image: harris