Speedcast expands connectivity deal with Stena Drilling

Speedcast has announced it has secured a five-year contract with Stena Drilling to expand its existing communications service with a newly designed solution to maximise operational effectiveness and support digital transformation efforts for Stena’s global fleet. Aberdeen-based Stena Drilling Ltd. is an independent drilling contractor with operations across the globe.

Speedcast has provided corporate networking and crew welfare connectivity long-term across the driller’s fleet of four drill ships and two semi-submersible rigs and will now be adding enhanced communications design and technologies for the fleet. The service contract follows Stena’s implementation of a digital transformation programme to invest in innovation and technology to future-proof their global assets.

As part of the solution, Speedcast will provide advanced, very small aperture terminal (VSAT) modem technology; multi-orbit and tri-band antenna systems; SD-WAN, out-of-band management (OBM) and telemetry applications; and an enhanced design to maximise LTE coverage. All services will be backed by Speedcast’s 24×7 Customer Support Centre (CSC).

Speaking about the deal, Richard Elson, Executive Vice President – Energy at Speedcast said: “Speedcast has partnered with Stena Drilling for many years now in delivering the connectivity capabilities required for operational success. We are honoured to continue serving as Stena’s sole communications provider, supporting their digital transformation by accelerating technologies onboard that will future-proof their global drilling assets.”

Ian Fraser, IT Manager at Stena Drilling added: “Our team is keenly focused on investing in innovation and technology for our globally dispersed fleet. To accomplish our goals, it is paramount that we partner with a technology advocate that will work in collaboration with our team to continue enhancing the connectivity solutions we believe will maximise our operational effectiveness. Speedcast has been our long-term choice for this critical endeavour and we look forward to our continued success.”