Opsealog and Identec Solutions join forces to provide accurate, reliable ais vessel tracking of support vessels, achieving unprecedented precision during a pilot project with Shell’s fleet in Nigeria
Marseille (France), 13th of January 2022 – French performance management company Opsealog and Austrian wireless solutions provider Identec Solutions have announced a partnership to enhance their ais vessel tracking data services for the offshore oil and gas sector. This will help companies further optimize the operations of their support fleets. It reduces their emissions and maximizes safety and security in harsh environments.
The partnership combines Identec Solutions GPS trackers with Opsealog’s data integration and analysis service, Marinsights. The GPS trackers collect precise and real-time data on the positioning of each vessel. Then, the Marinsights platform and marine experts process and analyze the data to provide meaningful insights. This helps clients improve safety, optimize operations, and reduce fuel consumption.
The combined solution was successfully tested during a pilot project in collaboration with Shell companies Nigeria. Nine vessels were equipped with an i-Q350LX GPS-SAT removable transponder of Identec Solutions. These were configured to send the vessel position automatically every 30 minutes through the Globalstar network. This helped Shell overcome the challenges related to tracking its support vessel fleet in the winding rivers of the Niger delta. In addition to the unavailability of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), bad weather conditions can pose a challenge for satellite reception in the region.
The data was then analyzed by Opsealog’s marine consultants and presented on the Marinsights platform, which enabled the company to visualize its fleet on a map in real-time, with specific information for each vessel. The software also generated reports on routes and position quality and alerts when a vessel was immobilized for a certain duration or when it crossed a geofenced area.
Opsealog’s founder and managing director, Arnaud Dianoux, said: “The remarkable results of this pilot project with Identec Solutions for Shell Nigeria demonstrate the power of digital solutions and illustrate the potential of a wealth of high-quality data combined with state-of-the-art performance management service. Having a comprehensive portrait of support vessels operations is an essential component of a strong security strategy. It can also unlock efficiencies that support companies’ decarbonization efforts.”
Dr. Urban Siller, CEO at Identec Solutions, stated: “We strongly believe that good visibility of onshore and offshore operations delivers safety and productivity. As the industry seeks to become safer, greener and more efficient. Consequently, having a precise understanding of the activities of each vessel is vital. This is where our cutting-edge technology comes into play. We are proud to partner with Opsealog on this journey that will support the offshore oil and gas sector as it moves towards sustainability.”