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CCHHAAPPTTEERR--2255

CCOOMMMMUUNNIICCAATTIIOONN SSYYSSTTEEMMSS IINN OONNGGCC

11.. IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN:: The need for (IT), Communication and Computerization in business applications (i.e. technical and commercial) in ONGC was felt quite as far back as 1970s. During this period TITAN department was given the responsibility for setting up of computers based telemetry and voice communication network for the Bombay offshore project. Through this project, voice and data communications with production parameters collected from the offshore installations of MR was envisaged to be transferred to the on-shore control room. The TITAN group and subsequently the SCADA project were authorized to implement communication as well as computer based telemetry/tele-control system as well as associated networks to meet the requirement of Bombay High Operations for MR for its oil production and exploitation. The planned growth of ONGC over last 55 years has spread its multifarious activities over length and breadth of the country. ONGC has undertaken ambitious program of making the country self reliant in Oil and Natural Gas. In order to meet the gigantic challenge, ONGC has rightly analyzed, adopted and planned Information Technology automation at every level of its multi disciplinary spheres of activities such as Seismic and Geo-scientific surveys, Reservoir modeling, drilling, production, project monitoring, management and delivery of crude production of LPG in addition to Inventory Control, and finance etc. In ONGC Seismic Data Processing forms a major part of Scientific Applications whereas MIS (Management Information Services) for various groups play a big role in business oriented applications. High speed array processor based computer systems are used for ONGC's scientific activities. ON the other hand mini, super-mini, personal computers are used in technical and administrative applications. The role of communication in ONGC is rapidly increasing as the operations of this large organization are geographically scattered all over India, on land as well as off shore. Communication services have to optimally cater to the diversified operation needs of various applications.

The present age mantra is: “getting the right information to the right people at the right time and right place for taking right decisions” and therefore right kind of Communication infrastructure in place to achieve this. A tailor made Communication infrastructure fulfilling most of the communication needs of an organization enhances the management control and thereby the Productivity.

ONGC has over 33000 employees working in various Assets, Basins, Work Centre, field locations etc., and has global presence. Activities at these

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locations/installations are directed towards achieving the common goal of Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbon and thus contributing amicably to the country’s exchequer.

1.1 TECHNOLOGICAL JOURNEY OF COMMUNICATION IN ONGC

ONGC began its operation in 1956 with headquarters at Dehradun. Within next 20 years ONGC’s operational area spread across the country from Jammu in North to Karaikal, Rajamundry in South, Mumbai High in West to Assam in East. The operations across the country were controlled from ONGC’s Headquarter at Dehradun through its regional offices situated at Mumbai, Baroda, Kolkata, Chennai and Nazira. The need of well-planned communication systems was felt for effective co-ordination of activities across the country, increasing operational efficiency and managing disaster situations. The communication needs comprised of mainly Voice and Data. Need was felt to induct communication systems capable of providing intra-regional and inter-regional communication.

In pursuance of vision of being a world-class Oil and Gas Company integrated in energy business with dominant Indian leadership and global presence, ONGC has embarked upon number of Infocom initiatives.

Requirement of suitable communication system was realized with the increase in the activities of ONGC. In the earlier days, HF and VHF sets were hired from DoT. VHF sets were deployed for intra-regional communication and HF sets were used for inter-regional communication. Telex system was also used for communication. These systems had their inherent limitations, therefore need for better equipped, more efficient, reliable and duplex system existed. This article will briefly describe various communication systems inducted by ONGC in its journey from way back in 1960 till to date. This will also help in understanding the evolution of ONGC during the course of this journey.

During the earlier days, the communication systems available were mainly Telegraph, Teleprinter, HF and VHF radio communication systems.

Telegraph:

Telegraph is equipment for transmitting and receiving telegraphy messages over long distances. The telegraph can send message over wire or it can also be wireless. The wireless telegraphy is also known as continuous wave because the information is sent by modulating a high frequency carrier signal by on-off keying i.e the information is sent by using morse code.

437

Teleprinter:

Teleprinter is a typewriter-like terminal with a keyboard and built-in printer. Teleprinters were quite common years ago and used as data input terminals. Teleprinters were also used to communicate typed message from one station to another which were connected through an electrical channel. These electrical channels were often an electrically energized pair of wire. Paper tape was widely used on Teleprinters to record incoming data.

HF/ VHF Set:

HF systems were used by ONGC mainly for long distance radio communications i.e. inter-regional communications and were leased from DoT. Major offices and installations, survey party etc. had these sets. The HF sets had high power output of the order of 100W to 150W.

a. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS INDUCTED UP TO 1985:

Before 1985, the various communication systems that were being used by ONGC included leased HF and VHF sets leased from DoT. Telex/ tele-printers were also extensively used by ONGC. Earlier the messages were printed on paper strip and with the availability of computer type terminals; the paper strip was replaced by paper roll. From 1985 onwards there was significant development in the communication systems across the ONGC and the same is being elaborated below:

1. HF sets were leased from Dot and deployed at field offices. These sets were used for Communicating with HQ at Dehradun.

2. Telecom Centers were started AT major work centers and thus the beginning of E&T Department.

3. VHF sets deployed at production installations for intra-regional voice communication.

4. During the same period, Dot’s leased PBX/ hotline (OPSCOM) was utilized at major work centers facilitating point-to-point communication.

5. Storage and far-ward Telegraph (SFT) System was deployed in various regional Centers.

6. Intercom systems were deployed for communication between various offices of ONGC.

7. OPSNET (Operation Network) Satellite based communication Network was established at offshore process platform and Plants at Uran, Hazira in early eighties for communicating between offshore and onshore.

8. OFC and Microwave radio links were deployed for extending Satcom circuits to respective offices in offshore/ offshore.

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9. Need for duplex voice communication system was felt. Due to advent in semiconductor technology, such systems were available in eighties. Communication towers of appropriate height were deployed for radio communication.

10. In mid eighties, MART, VHF and analog radio of DOT were installed at major work centers.

11. In 1985, communication to Production installations and Drilling rigs was provided through MART.

12. Intercom and manual exchange were installed at major work centers.

13. It was during this period that OPSCOM & OPSPRINT for voice and data application were commissioned in ONGC.

14. During the same period, electromechanical type Fax machine was installed in ONGC.

15. Point-to-Point UHF radio links were deployed for various voice and data applications. The links were between process platforms to un-manned platforms.

b. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS INDUCTED BETWEEN 1986-95:

1. Multi-Contact systems with Base stations and Remote stations were commissioned on ONGC during 1987-88.

2. State-of-Art Electronic exchanges of Okay technology like IDX 1250. 650 etc. were introduced in ONGC in 1989 for meeting the communication needs at Offices and Colonies. Digital Electronic Fax machines were also deployed during the same period.

3. RABMAN System was commissioned for low speed data network in various regional offices/work Centers.

4. Points-to- Multipoint TDMA systems were installed to provide voice and data (SCADA) communication to production installations.

c. SATCOM based communication network called Telnet was deployed in ONGC for voice and data communication interconnecting 14 major Onshore locations viz. Mumbai, Baroda, Dehradun, Chennai etc.

d. Communication Systems inducted Between 1996-2005 : 1. UFSO, SHRAMIK, IMMS, EPINET etc. were introduced during

the period for improving efficiency of business applications. 2. SATCOM based Integrated Communication Network viz. ICNET

was introduced to provide connectivity across 21 locations for utilizing above application.

3. OFC based high speed Data network established between Head quarter, Corporate Office and various regional offices/Assets/ Basin/plant etc.

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4. Fixed, Mobile and Handheld latest state of art Radio Trunking system (RTS) was commissioned for production, Rigs communication in ER-Assam and Kavery Project.

5. State of art exchanges introduced in ONGC for enterprise wide voice communication, capable of VOIP trunks, PRI/BRI etc. Exchanges across ONGC were integrated over leased ckts./ SATCOM/VSATs etc.

6. Leased lines, ISDN circuits introduced during the period for voice and data communications.

7. Review of the major Infocom Projects was carried out under PROMISE and recommendations were accepted. Implementation in phased manner took place thereafter.

8. The group specific ERP applications were integrated/migrated into single ERP application under project ICE. The system was rolled out in 2004.

9. Ku-Band Vsats were hired and deployed across ONGC for ERP application (ICE).

10. Analog TDMA systems were replaced by digital TDMA systems in Mumbai and North East.

11. Up-gradation of LAN/WAN infrastructure across enterprise was taken-up during the period for facilitating working on ERP applications from remote/ field locations.

12. Radio Trunking was introduced in Assam and Kaveri projects. 13. WLL system was hired from BSNL and introduced in ONGC

during the period. 14. Corporate mailing server was deployed and executives were

provided official e-mail IDs. 15. Ongcreports.net was introduced for faster sharing of information/

activities/ corporate initiatives/ order and circulars, transfers, promotions etc. across ONGC.

16. Enterprise wide SCADA project was conceptualized.

e. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS INDUCTED 2006 ONWARDS:

1. Phased implementation in of Enterprise wide SCADA project started in 2006.

2. Satellite based state of art technology i.e. MFTDMA system introduced for optimum utilization of SATCOM resources (Transponder) in ONGC for enterprise wide voice and data connectivity from remote field locations- fixed and nomadic. The system is providing connectivity for SCADA, ICE, Intranet, Inetrnet, Voice etc.

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3. Point-to- Multipoint Broadband Wireless Access system (BWA) on WiMAX platform was conceptualized for implementation in Western Onshore locations viz. Ankleshwar Asset, Baroda basin, Cambay basin, Ahmedabad Asset and Mehsana Asset. Subsequently steps were taken to implement the project.

4. Motorola based Cannopy Point-to-Multipoint system in license free band was introduced in Ankleshwar Asset in 2006 for SCDA.

5. Ku-band VSATS hired from BSNL for SCADA in Western onshore.

6. Leased line/Internet BW augmented to meet enhanced BW requirement across major work centers.

Various field communication systems viz. Analog TDMA, Radio Trunking System (RTS), Multi Access Rural Radio Telephone (MARRT), Wireless in Local Loop (WLL), HF sets, VHF sets, Walkie-Talkie etc., came up during the last decade to meet the expanding communication needs of the Asset/ Basin. These field communication systems were capable of providing mainly the voice communication in addition to low speed data communication across geographically distant locations in the Asset/ Basin.

In ONGC, various offices and departments are working simultaneously to contribute directly or indirectly to the common objective of Exploration and Exploitation of hydrocarbon. These departments have different roles to play and therefore need a communication system capable of supporting specific work related requirements.

The communication system that may be suitable for Security & Fire may not be suitable for Finance or HR department. There may be different type of communication systems for these departments but it is essential to ensure seamless communication between these departments so that necessary information can be effectively and efficiently shared. Following Table-1 shows various types of communication systems provided to different users:

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User →

System ↓

Security Fire Production Drilling Finance/

HR

Executives Remarks

HF/VHF √ √ √ √

UHF √

µ-Wave √

SATELLITE √ √

GSM √ √ √ √ √ √

EPABX √ √ √ √ √

LAN-WAN √ √ √ √ √ √

Table-1 Types of communication systems deployed

2. A brief about the various communication systems is given below:

EPAX\ EPABX’s : More than 100 numbers of small and big capacity Electronic Private Automatic Exchanges (EPAX’s) and Branch Exchanges have been installed in various Projects, Regions and Head Quarters to cater the requirements of Inter and Intra Office cum Residence Communication Requirements.

2.1 HF Radio communication: This is mainly used for long distance radio communications. All stations at offshore and onshore have this set. The power output varies from 100 watts to 150 watts for drilling, processes platforms & base stations. This HF communication is required to be available at an offshore/onshore installation against the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System requirement, as per the directive of DG Shipping, Govt. of India. This equipment is used for radio communication between offshore installations to base station & amongst offshore stations. The HF sets are also used by seismic survey field parties where GSM/ land line coverage’s are not available. This is a point-to-point radio communication.

2.2 VHF Systems

VHF sets have been provided to Production installations, drilling rigs, CISF, Security, Field Parties etc. and is being used as emergency communication system. The VHF Systems are also used to communicate with helicopters and Off-shore Supply Vessels (OSVs) in offshore area. The VHF radio system also used for CISF, security and operation requirements. Walkie-

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talkies are used by Production, drilling, well maintenance, security, CISF, Fire crew etc. for communication.

Earlier VHF based PMP Multi Access Radio Communication systems (MART) were deployed at Assam, Ankleshwar, Ahmedabad, Rajahmundry etc. which has been phased out recently.

1. Simplex voice communication (VHF Sets)/ Duplex in MART. 2. Low speed data transfer is supported 3. These can be used for emergency communication

2.3 Non Directional Beacon (NDB): The NDBs are used for providing navigational support to Helicopters at offshore/ onshore. The beacons are installed on all offshore process platforms & drilling rigs & also at base stations where helicopter sorties take place like Uran, Panvel, Hazira, Nhava etc. The NDBs are replaced in 2005-06 as per guideline/suggestions by PROMISE reports.

2.4 Inter Office Communication: Digital Exchanges of various capacities are in operational at all Work centers and major Production platforms. Currently most of the exchanges are based on PCM/TDM technology. The Exchanges are serving as EPABX wherein public trunks are terminated for communicating outside ONGC. Inter office communication over Satcom/ Radio lines by extending subscribers to remote locations.

1. Warrants maintenance of dedicated system. 2. Separate cabling/ DP etc. is required. 3. Converters/ interfacing equipments are required for VOIP 4. Most of the EPABX discontinued by OEM. 5. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get technical support as

OEMs have moved over to server based soft exchanges i.e. Unified Communication (UC) integrating mail, FAX, Voice, Data on single platform(Ethernet).

2.5 Plant Paging System: The paging systems are used in all major plants viz. Uran, CPF GDR, Hazira, Tatipaka refinery etc. These are used as means of communication between control rooms to various plant areas for meeting operational requirements.

2.6 Point to Point Radio links: This method is suitable to connect two distant locations through single or multiple hops depending on the distance to be covered. There are basically

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two types of radio systems, for a high bandwidth point to point link, available in the market.

a. Digital Microwave Radio: This is a product that is available in both licensed and free band. Deploying radio in licensed band eliminates possibility of interference. WPC (Under Ministry of Communication), which is a statutory body allocates the frequency on request to a particular user and monitor the unauthorized use of frequencies by other user. The typical hop length covers from35-40KM. However greater distances can be covered through repeaters. The systems are available with hot standby configuration therefore can be used for mission critical application. The system capacity varies from 01 T1/E1 to 16 T1/E1 or more. Radios supporting SDH hierarchies are also available. Cost wise the system falls in the medium range.

b. Spread Spectrum Radio: This product generally works in un-licensed band; hence possibility of interference is more. The typical hop length varies from 20 to 25KM and since repeater is not available, therefore the maximum distance that can be covered by this system is limited to the hop length. This type of system is not available in hot standby, therefore use of this system for mission critical operation is not recommended. The system capacity varies from 64 Kbps to 2 Mbps. It is low cost solution to provide LOS link between two locations with capacity of data requirement up to 2Mbps.

In ONGC, Point-to-Point Microwave communication links were deployed to provide communication links for inter- process platforms, inter assets in western onshore, inter field in Eastern region Asset- Assam and as a tail links for extend the communication from the satellite earth station to the respective offices.

1. The most of point-to-point Radios links capacity are 2/4/8MB. 2. Unable to meet even the current BW requirements 3. WPC has converted spot frequencies (especially that used in

Western Onshore) into license free band, therefore cannot be used for critical applications.

4. Discontinued by OEM. 5. No technical support exists.

2.7 Point-to-Multi-point Radio Link:- a) TDMA System

The point to multipoint radio systems are used in production field/ offices at various locations. The existing TDMA system provides point to multipoint link. As recommendation of PROMISE report, the TDMA system

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was implemented in MR offshore for the communication from Process platform to well platform and in ER, Assam for fixed installations.

This is Time Division Multiple System where each user/ subscriber has been allotted a time slot during which he is allowed to communicate i.e. RF spectrum is divided into time slots and multiple subscribers can communicate simultaneously.

1. TDMA system can provide wide area coverage. By proper link

engineering it is possible to extend the TDMA communication link to as far as 500km from base station. This range can be achieved by deploying Repaeters at regular intervals.

2. TDMA is best suited for Point-to-Multi-Point (PMP) applications. It is specifically suitable for application in ONGC as the information- voice, data or both from field installations converge to centralised base office at Asset HQ. The PMP solution is cost-effective compared to Satellite, WLL, Cellular etc. when the requirement of BW is less than 8Mbps.

3. TDMA system is normally provided with 4mbps of RF bandwidth that is shared by the subcribers connected to it. The system is scalable and the RF bandwidth can be expanded to as high as 8mbps and can support 1024 subscribers. Each channel occupies 64kbps bandwidth which can be used for voice as well as data. Each data channel is provided with 64kbps dedicated RF bandwidth.

4. It has centralised NMS therefore it is possible to remotely configure remote subscriber unit, have diagnostic, generate maintenance reports, etc.

5. If required, multiple TDMA system can be installed and those systems can be connected to each other by various means e.g. leased lines, E1 trunk etc.

Limitations:

This system has limitation of maximum bandwidth that can be shared by remote subscribers. Typical bandwidth available is up to 4Mbps for voice & data applications; whereas the current BW requirement at each Asset/ Basin is in excess of 10s of Mbps. In view of the increase in current bandwidth requirement many manifolds, which the existing TDMA systems cannot provide because of technological limitations and because of its high cost of ownership, deploying multiple systems across Asset/ Basin is not a cost effective solution.

445

b) TDMA system with WLL:

1. TDMA systems are available whose remote stations suport WLL, that can provide both voice & data. In this case a WLL base is installed in the remote unit and connected to an external antenna. This WLL can provide NLS coverage of 5km and line of site range of as high as 25-30km depending upon antenna type and its height at both ends.

2. The data rate supported by WLL remote called Wireless Terminal (WT) is 56Kbps.

3. WT can be provided to Workover rigs, security, fire etc. It can also be provided to Drilling rigs. (C-band VSAT is being provided to drilling rigs).

4. The spectral efficiency of these system is poor compared to currently available broadband systems.

Due to limited bandwidth and very high cost of upgr adation, this system will not be cost-effective for meeting incre asing demand of voice and data applications.

c) Radio Trunking System:

The Radio Trunking System is also a point to multi point radio system. The Radio Trunking Equipment of M/S NOKIA, Finland has been installed in the Cauvery project and at Nazira. The Base station is equipped with 5 radio channels with 4 channels for traffic and 1 channel for control. This system can provide only voice communication. Following facilities are available through RTS connectivity: Facility of outward dialling from remote stations AND Facility of inward dialing to any remote station from anywhere is possible.

1. Radio Trunking System is basically a multi access s ystem. 2. Nokia make RTS were installed in ONGC in year 1999. 3. This RTS is equipped with 5 radio channels. Four c hannels

are used for carrying voice traffic and the fifth c hannel is used for control applications.

4. This RTS is capable of handling only the voice cal ls in either directions i.e. up-stream and downstream.

5. RTS cannot support data communication whereas ONGC requirement is voice and data both.

6. In order to improve user satisfaction, the number o f channels needs to be increased.

7. OEM has discontinued this system and therefore no support is available.

8. AMC for the system is also not available.

d) Wireless in Local Loop (WLL):

Point-To-Multipoint system hired from BSNL for providing primarily Voice communication to drilling rigs and fixed installations.

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1. These systems have outlived their life. 2. System performance de-grading due to ageing of electronic

components leading to instability, decreasing availability and reliability.

3. Lower user satisfaction. 4. Additional requirement cannot be met due to non-availability of

equipments and spares. The use of WLL system cannot be continued further due to non-availability of battery and other spares from BSNL.

5. Activities have spread to area beyond the coverage of existing system set-up and communication need for such sites cannot be met with the present system set-up.

e) Motorola Canopy system:

The system in free band has been installed in Ankleshwar Asset to meet the requirements of SCADA. The system is found to be unstable initially and is in free band.

3. SATCOM:

The C band captive SATCOM network is being used for offshore installations and onshore remote field installations. 36 MHz transponder Bandwidth is used for this captive network. The 18MHz is used for offshore and 18MHz for onshore use. The offshore platforms most of data links are in PAMA and voice are in DAMA mode. The MF-TDMA system are under implementation for onshore (155) remote field production installation, rigs, field party, 10 offshore drilling and existing ICNET locations. The main communication services cover in this network are:

1. Offshore Process platform & drilling Rigs 2. Onshore production installations of Rajahmundry, Karaikal,

Agartala & some in western onshore 3. All onshore drilling rigs 4. All seismic survey field party 5. Back up to lease line for Asset/ basin/ RO/ plant etc.

Due to bandwidth constrain the offshore process platform is not having more then 384/512 Kbps bandwidth. Most of SATCOM equipments at platforms also not supported higher bandwidth. With the availability of better technologies in present environment, there is a need to consider replacement of older technologies with state-of-art systems.

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3.1 KU Band Hired SATCOM Network:

This system is hired from BSNL for providing communication facility to production installation in western onshore as a short term solutions, however BWA project is being implemented to meet the voice, data and video requirement for all fixed installations and work over rigs of western onshore.

3.2 C Band SATCOM NETWORKS

a) Offshore Network for Production Installations.

Satellite communication in ONGC was introduced in early eighties with the installation of Uran Satellite Earth Station in MR and another earth station at offshore, on platform BHF/ BHN. Subsequently the network was expanded by adding other earth stations like BLQ, Heera, Hazira and other platforms. Presently, Satcom systems are operational at 13 Platforms.

b) DRILLNET

ONGC installed VSAT based network named Drillnet in 1998 for providing connectivity among all the ONGC owned 10 offshore drilling rigs to bring them under the integrated telecom umbrella of the organization. Drillnet provides rig to base communication i.e Vasudhara/ 11High, Mumbai, providing Voice & Data clear communication irrespective of rig location anywhere in the Indian Ocean area.

c) TELENET :

TELNET is a satellite based network of fourteen Satellite Earth Stations (SES) installed at Dehradun, Delhi, Baroda, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Nazira, Hazira, BHN, BLQ, Heera, Agartala, Jodhpur and Rajamundry. This is a network parallel to DOT and VSNL networks in India but independent of them. ONGC is sharing DOT Earth Stations at Calcutta and Chennai whereas at Delhi ONGC is sharing NTPC satellite earth station. This network provides voice, fax and high speed data communication among various Regional Head Quarters and projects all over the country. This provides direct dialling facility for voice communication similar to STD network. The Network diagram is placed at Annexure – II. ONGC's Wide Area Network connecting Sun-Spark computers installed at Dehradun, Baroda, Chennai, Nazira and Mumbai has been commissioned using high speed TELNET data channels.

d) Integrated Communications Network (ICNET):

ONGC further decided to upgrade its existing telecommunication satellite network infrastructure in order to meet the ever-growing demands in the area of voice, high-speed data and video conferencing. Now the Satellite Communication infrastructure may well have become one of the key engines for Information flow in ONGC. Various data/voice and video Networks i.e. Up-gradation of Financial System in ONGC (UFSO), Integrated Material Management Systems (IMMS), Exploration and Production Information Network (EPINET), System of Human Resource Automated Management Information for

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Kaizen (SHRAMIK) , Library Network (LIBNET) and Video conferencing etc. are at various stages of implementation in ONGC. All these Networks need Communication media for interconnecting the Regional Head Quarters with Corporate Head Quarters Delhi and Dehradun. The existing capacity as well the Permanently Assigned Multiple Access (PAMA) technology were not sufficient to handle the present requirement of high capacity channels. Accordingly the existing Satellite Earth Stations are being upgraded with new Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) technology additional hardware and the present Satellite Network is also being expanded with VSAT’s at various new locations under the Integrated Communication Network (ICNET). After implementation of the ICNET project ONGC would have total 26 Satellite Earth Stations in its Country-wide Satellite Network. This includes three 11M dia, five 7.5M dia, one 6.1M dia, eight 4.5M dia and nine 3.8M dia Earth Stations. (a) Uran Earth Station will be augmented to make it a Nodal centre for Control and Management of the Network. Redundant NMS with Hardware/Software shall be installed and shall operate as HUB Station. (b) The existing three 11M Earth Stations at Uran, Dehradun, Baroda; two 7.5M Earth Stations at Hazira, Nazira; and three 4.5M Earth Stations at Agartala, Jodhpur & Rajahmundry will be augmented with DAMA-SCPC system and will be interfaced at IF stage with the existing RF equipments.

(c) Setting up of five new higher capacity 4.5M Earth Stations with DAMA-SCPC

system at Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Ahmedabad and Ankleshwar.

(d) Setting up of one new higher capacity 6.1M Earth Station at Vasudhara Bhavan, Mumbai.

(e) Setting up of seven new 3.8M Earth Stations with DAMA-SCPC system at Cambay, Mehsana, Jorhat, Silcher, Karaikal, Panvel and Narasapur.

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49

6.1M

11M

11M

DEHRADUNDEHRADUN URAN URAN -- NMSNMS

NAZIRANAZIRA

7.5M

3.8M

HAZIRAHAZIRA

4.5M

ANKLESHWARANKLESHWAR

AHMEDABADAHMEDABAD

4.5M

JODHPURJODHPUR

4.5M

RAJAMUNDRYRAJAMUNDRY

4.5M

BARODABARODA MUMBAIMUMBAI DELHIDELHI CHENNAICHENNAI

KOLKATAKOLKATA

AGARTALLAAGARTALLA

4.5M 4.5M

4.5M

4.5M

MEHSANAMEHSANA3.8M

CAMBAYCAMBAY

PANVELPANVEL

3.8M

3.8M

JORHATJORHAT3.8M

SILCHARSILCHAR3.8M

KARAIKALKARAIKAL3.8M

NARSAPURNARSAPUR

-

INSAT-3E

4 V &

2D

4 V & 3 D

4 V & 3 D

4 V &

5 D

3 V &

2 D

3 V &

3 D

10 V

& 1

0 D

24 V

&38

D

3 V

& 2

D20 V

& 10 D

24 V &

4 D

10 V & 7 D

8 V &

6 D

3 V & 2 D

3 V & 2 D

3 V & 2 D

6 V & 3 D

3 V & 2 D

3 V & 2 D

10 V & 7 D 3 V & 3 D

OFFSHOREOFFSHORE

11M

7.5M

Process Platform Process Platform : 09: 09Drilling RigsDrilling Rigs :10:10

BHS,BHN,ICP,NQO,SHP,BPA,BPB,HRA,NLM

EXISTING SATCOM LINKS (VOICE & DATA)

e) VATMS Network

VATMS project was implemented during 2006-07 by augmenting 5 existing VSATs/earth stations at Offshore and set up 3 VSATs at Tapti, Suvali & WIN for offshore security purpose. The network uses:

� DAMA SkyLinx of NMS, upgraded for VATMS.

� Hub at Uran Earth station and 4 offshore stations were augmented with High Speed Data Channel Units (HSDCU) for providing Data connectivity.

� 1 no. 2.4M VSATs & 2 nos. 3.8M VSATs were set up.

f) Onshore Control Centre (OCC) Network & C-Series Pla tforms :

This project was implemented subsequent to fire at BHN platform in 2005. The project covers:

� The 1.8M VSATs deployed at 13 Process Platforms and 133 Well head Platforms.

� 9.0M HUB has been installed at Mumbai

� Geo-redundant equipment installed at Uran.

g) MFTDMA network for Field Installations ( Onshor e & Offshore)

The project was based on MF-TDMA technology, covers 183 Satcom locations & 25 radio links spread across the country. Under the project the following installations have been provided with Satcom links.

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� Production installations at various Assets (3.8m/ 2.4m)

� Geophysical Field Parties (2.4m)

� On-shore Drilling Rigs (2.4m)

� Augmentation of 8 off-shore Drilling Rigs

56

Asset HQ

11Mtr

BRD

V-HUB11Mtr

URN

V-HUB

6.3 mtr

V-HUB

JRT

3.8 mtr

SIL

3.8mtr

2.4Mtr

JRT=12, NZR=21

SIL=2

3.8Mtr

SIL=3 KOL=4

AGT=4

Asset HQ

KOL

4.5mtr

KOL=5,

AGT=4

2.4Mt

r

OFF/S DR=8

2.4Mtr

JDH

4.5mtr

ANK

Asset HQ

MHN

4.5mtr

Asset HQAsset HQ

4.5mtr

Asset HQ

CBY

3.8mtr

Asset HQ

DLI

4.5mtr

DATA CNTR.

11Mtr

DDN

V-HUB

JHD=1 W-

ON/S=9

3.8M

2.4Mtr

BRD=10, AMD=7

ANK=9, CBY=1

MHN=8

3.8M

S/LAXMI=1

GOA=1RJY

2.4Mtr

RJY=8, KKL=6

CHN=6

3.8Mtr

RJY=8,

KKL=7

4.5mtr

Asset HQ

KKL

4.5mtr

Asset HQ

CHN

4.5mtr

Basin HQ

MBY

V-HUB

NZR

6.3 M

AMD

Asset HQ

4.5mtr

Asset HQ

AGT

4.5mtr

6.3 M

Network Diagram of MF-TDMA

Back-up links

Primary links

In Mesh Topology

h) MFTDMA System Features The objective of the MFTDMA System is to induct state-of-the-art Satellite based communication systems in ONGC’s onshore field Installations consisting of Production, Drilling and Exploration sites to ensure reliable data and voice connectivity to the above field installations for a) Providing communication links between the field locations and their respective Assets/Basins for Enterprise Wide on-line SCADA to facilitate analysis of valuable well / Process data and Drilling data available in the SCADA servers. b) To ensure access to various corporate wide I.T. applications like SAP, Intranet/internet, e-mail from these field installations. c) Provide seamless voice communication to these installations to enable them to communicate with the other work centers.

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To achieve the above objective it was proposed to implement an enterprise wide Satellite Based Communication Network for ONGC’s Field Installations based on best-in-class technology. The System has been designed to provide the following facilities:

i. Fully integrated, centrally managed solution which provides simultaneous star and full mesh connectivity for data and voice applications with a converged Internet Protocol (IP) solution.

ii. VSAT TT shall support dynamic routing protocols such as RIP1,RIP2. It should be able to support static and default routes and IGMP protocol for multicast applications.

iii. Network will support any VSAT to any VSAT single hop connectivity over IP.VSAT should support QoS features to give priority to traffic on application

iv. The network is capable of handling fast data rates and shall be based on IP technology to provide a highly reliable and bandwidth efficient solutions in a single satellite hop for providing Voice & Data communication:

A. Voice

a. Between field Installations and respective Asset/Basin HQrts.

b. Among the field installations within an Asset/Basin.

c. Between field installations and other work centers outside Asset/Basin.

B. Data

a. Between field installations and respective Asset/Basin HQrts.

b. Between field installations and Data Centre at Delhi

c. Among Assets/Basins HQrts.

d. Between Assets/Basins HQrts at Delhi and Dehradun

i) Network Operating Centre

The Network Control Center has been setup with fully Redundant in 1+1 configuration hardware of indoor Units comprising of Satellite Modem with in-built router and NCC/NMS equipments, interfacing hardware, connector, cables etc. at the existing satellite earth station, Dehradun along with AVAYA VoIP Server and gateway in 1+1 configuration for Voice Solution.

j) Augmentation of Existing Satellite Earth Station s

18 existing Satellite Earth stations/VSATS have been augmented with LINKWAY IP SATCOM Modem (TT) by utilizing the existing Antenna and RF system. The LINKWAY modem has been integrated at the IF stage by using L band to IF (70MHz) converter. These stations shall operate in full mesh configuration and are capable of handle all data and VoIP calls

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between these stations and their respective field installations. TT has been integrated with Local LAN at L3/L2 switch. For voice connectivity AVAYA make VoIP solution has been implemented. Under this project a centralized fully redundant server and Gateway (G650) has been installed at Dehradun and distributed Gateway (G700) installed at various 20 locations for integrating existing Exchanges (through PRI) with AVAYA Gateways to facilitate the users of existing Exchanges can call VoIP Subscriber at remote field locations and vice versa.

k) Remote NOC at Data Centre-Delhi

A Remote Network Management Terminal of the NMS from Dehradun extended over WAN link to the Central Network Operating Centre (NOC) of ONGC communication infrastructure at Delhi, such that the proposed network can be monitored and managed from the Central NOC.

l) Productions and other fixed Field Installations .

VSAT stations having 3.8M/2.4M antenna along with 10 W BUC have been established at various fixed field installations in the Assets such that these locations along with VoIP phones and Data connectivity for SAP, SAMPARC, or.NET, INTERNET & SCADA applications.These stations shall be capable of delivering minimum up to 512 Kbps in case of 3.8M VSATs and also handle minimum of 4 simultaneous voice calls and 256 Kbps for 2.4M and also handle minimum of 2 simultaneous voice calls.

m) DRILLING RIGS

a. Onshore Drilling Rigs

There are about 71 onshore Drilling rigs, which are operating at present in ONGC. These drilling rigs are nomadic in nature that is they keep shifting over a period of time from one field location to other.

VSAT stations at these sites have light-weight 2.4M antenna system and equipped with 10W BUC, that can be easily dismantled and re-installed during the course of shifting of these rigs. The VSAT stations of the drilling rigs shall work in star topology with Dehradun as the HUB station. Access to SCADA Data, internet/Intranet and Mail shall be through Dehradun, while ERP data shall have alternate access routes. These stations are capable of delivering up to 256 Kbps of Data rates (depending on the various parameters); which include minimum 2 simultaneous voice (VoIP) channels.

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b. Offshore drilling rigs

There are 8 Offshore Drilling rigs. These VSATS are augmented with LINKWAY IP SATCOM modem (TT) for Data & Voice communication. For voice communication EPAX and PSTN numbers from Mumbai are extended. Necessary VoIP gateway has been installed and integrated Local exchange at Mumbai.

c. Exploration field parties There are about 26 onshore exploration field parties. 2.4M VSATS have been installed along with 10W BUC. These VSATS are capable of delivering minimum up to 256 Kbps of Data include 2 simultaneous voice (VoIP) channels.

4. TRANSPONDER ALLOCATION & UTILISATION

Satellite /Transponder : INSAT-3E/ # 15.

Transponder BW : 36.00 MHz

Transponder Power : 38 dBW (with 3 dB back-off)

The present Bandwidth allocation is:

5. VIDEO CONFERENCING :

Video Conferencing facility using 384 Kbps satellite channel has been provided at four locations in Mumbai Off-shore i.e. BHN, BLQ, HEERA and Vasudhara Bhavan for monitoring and maintenance of SCADA parameters of off-shore platforms. Desktop video conferencing Technology is now cheap and widely

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available. In addition, Video Telephones using ISDN and Broad Band Satellite channels are also under consideration for its suitable implementation in ONGC. Radio-Trunking : Radio trunking is the state of the art wireless communication Network which effectively utilises the precious radio channels using cutting-edge switching technologies which works on the principle of dynamic allocation of radio channels for their most effective and optimum utilization. Radio trunking system is under implementation in ONGC for providing communication to drill sites, production installations, field parties, mobile applications of CISF, fire wing etc. IT is a spectrum efficient system which provides communication in fixed, semi-fixed as well as in mobile mode. This system is being introduced in ONGC in phases at various locations in SRBC and ERBC. This system will slowly outplace the existing Analogue MART and various point to point HF/VHF radio systems. The system has been procured from NOKIA Inc. Finland. SCADA Systems : Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA) are used for monitoring production and control parameters. The system includes computers, control instrumentation and communication media. Mainly Satellite and Micro-wave Radio channels are used for SCADA applications in ONGC.