Subsea Fiber Optic Telecommunications System
Client: British Petroleum (BP)
Total Project Cost: $100 million
The Project Group Consulting provided Project Engineering support services to BP on their Fiber Optic Project. This project was a first-of-its-kind project for the Gulf of Mexico. It brought high band-width, low latency communications to Oil & Gas platforms in the deepwater areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The cable runs from Pascagoula MS to Freeport TX and extends into the deepwater blocks (up 5000-6000 ft water depths) in the GoM. The project required working with a telecommunications cable company for laying the subsea fiber optic cable and components. It also required working with the Production Platforms to install and integrate the equipment on the platforms.
- System design and integration. Defined total scope and structure of the network. Interfaced between the telecomm industry and the oil and gas industry to integrate oilfield design, operational and safety practices.
- Landing stations. Performed feasibility studies for onshore landing sites, secured property with private and state agencies and monitored the installation through construction completion and startup.
- Platform installations. Worked closely with client’s engineering and operations personnel for integration of equipment onto offshore facilities, including engineering and design, scheduling of work, management of change, procedural reviews, hazards identifications, and documentation.
- Riser cable analysis and component design. Worked with analytical engineering company to perform the analysis of the dynamic riser cables at platforms where subsea connections were not available. Worked with the telecommunications company to develop unique components for all aspects of riser installations.
- Regulatory and permitting. Worked with BP’s Regulatory Group to prepare applications to Federal and State agencies (MMS, USCG, ABS, GLO of TX, etc.) for all aspects of the project.
- Installation and construction management. Involved in all aspects of installation and construction of the system, from subcontractor selection and qualification to on-site construction management oversight. Was on-site at platforms during equipment installation, riser pull-ins, startup and commissioning.
- System operation and maintenance. Established preventive maintenance routine for annual operations of all system equipment. Managed all maintenance activities for onshore Cable Station facilities including emergency generators, Heating/Ventilation & Air Conditioning systems, Landscaping and grounds upkeep, etc. Handled maintenance and corrective issues when needed for unplanned failures. Coordinated with local utility locating companies for prevention of onshore cable damage from third party construction activities.
- Fiber system expansion support. Lead Engineer for BP to support expansion of the fiber optic network. This included providing development scenario definitions, cost estimates, schedules, topsides and subsea integration plans and liaison support between the project team and Tyco telecommunications for multiple field developments. Also provided engineering support and oversight for the tie-in of two new third-party platforms to the BP Fiber System. Provided construction management at both cable station locations for necessary expansions.
For more information about this project, please visit https://www.bp.com/en_us/bp-us/what-we-do/technology/upstream-technology/gom-fiber-optic-network.html
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing: 208 Hewitt Dr., Ste. 103 #342
Waco, TX 76712
254-221-9908
Pamela began her professional career in the broadcast industry while attending Tarleton State University. After graduating with a B.S. in Speech Communication in 1997, she worked at several radio stations in management roles focusing on continuity, music and production as well as serving as an on-air talent continuously for more than ten years. In 2010, Pamela accepted a position as the Assistant Marketing and Development Director for the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX. Helping to promote, market and develop the City of Richardson’s performing arts center, she succeeded in implementing and managing all social media marketing as well as creating and directing a first-ever student art exhibit, further strengthening her marketing and organizational talents.
Jason Krueger is the Director of Ranch and Real Estate Development for The Project Group Consulting, LLC. Jason has been managing and developing ranches for greater than 14 years, and has extensive sales management experience in the construction industry dating back to the late 90s. He is also a Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Bryant began his career at Crepaco warehouse in parts distribution and pump assembly. Then he progressed to field installation for process and ammonia systems where he oversaw welding and fitting both sanitary tubing and ammonia piping systems.He then moved to San Antonio, spent a year as a contract fabricator with H-E-B Foods working for Sanitary Welding Services. At the end of his contract he returned to the DFW area with Alloy Equipment doing installation, crew management, and scheduling. There he remained through the buyout by Statco Fabrication and Engineering, which resulted in his 25 combined years with them moving into engineering and sales departments.
With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry and extensive experience as a project manager, Tony has planned and led multi-million dollar projects relating to system upgrades, equipment installation, water quality, validations and process improvements. Some of his areas of expertise include project planning, quality assurance, process analysis, manufacturing systems, process design and problem resolution.
Tim is an electrical and control systems engineer with more than ten years of experience in a wide variety of industries. Project experience includes working with clients in the water/wastewater fields, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food and beverage industries. Prior to his engineering work, Tim was a licensed water treatment plant operator in Texas. Tim’s strengths are process engineering, control system design, conveyor system design, and project management. He received his B. S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. In his spare time, Tim enjoys working on cars, golfing, and billiards.
Michael has thirty-five years of diversified experience in project management and engineering, equipment and systems design, and manufacturing and production. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.