Satellite trio ready for inland oil and gas drilling mkt in US

HOUSTON, TEXAS: With oil and gas exploration and production accelerating across North America, Stallion Oilfield Services (Stallion), Global Data Services (GDS) and global satellite operator SES announced a set of satellite capacity agreements to deliver high-speed broadband and communications services to remote inland oil and gas drilling operations throughout the United States.

The trio of providers adds that it is utilizing more than a full transponder of Ku-band capacity aboard SES' AMC-9 satellite along with GDS' full scale network infrastructure and Stallion's broad range of wellsite support services to enable mission-critical oil and gas operations nationwide. The satellite-delivered connectivity is enabling a broad range of communications capabilities, from corporate VPN and MPLS solutions to high-speed Internet access and real-time wellsite data monitoring.

GDS operates an extensive communications network, including its state-of-the-art teleport, Data Center, and Network Operations Center (NOC) located at GDS headquarters in Lafayette, Louisiana, fully capable of delivering corporate voice, video, and data solutions. SES operates a growing global fleet of 54 satellites, including its AMC-9 spacecraft that has long played an instrumental role in connecting oil and gas operations throughout the Gulf of Mexico and North America. Stallion provides a comprehensive suite of services, from wellsite and road construction to workforce accommodations and communications. Together, GDS, SES and Stallion have built a complementary alliance aimed at meeting connectivity demands as diverse as the oil and gas market itself, as the announcement explained.

Chris Vincent, CEO and President of Global Data Systems added. "Our alliance with Stallion and SES is aimed at enabling Stallion Oilfield Services and a diverse group of oil and gas companies to innovate and do what they do best without having to think about connectivity in some of the remotest, harshest locations on earth," noted Vincent. "With the reach and reliability of SES satellites combined with our ground infrastructure and network expertise, we can turn virtually any ambition in the oil and gas field into reality."

"You never know what the next challenge is going to be in our industry. We must have flexibility and reliability in our communications platform, and that's what Global Data Systems and SES deliver consistently. The partnership allows us to innovate and consistently bring value-added communication products to our customers," explained Pedro Buhigas, CIO for Stallion.