EADS Defence & Security to deliver the first 800-MHz TETRA network to the Chinese oil & gas sector

EADS Defence & Security recently announced, in collaboration with Beijing Satellite Science & Technology Co Ltd, the first TETRA project in China's oil and gas fields ? providing a complete TETRA radio communication system for the Puguang Gas Field of the Sinopec Zhongyuan Oilfield Company.

The system that will be delivered includes one DXTip switch, six TB3 base stations and a Network Management and Dispatching System; it operates on the 800-MHz frequency band. This is a similar system to the one that ensured the smooth operation of Beijing Games in 2008 with flawless performance.

The radio network will provide coverage over the Puguang Gas Field, including its ground gathering and transportation station, pipeline, purification plant, production management centre, fire and gas protection station and neighbouring production operation areas. It is scheduled to be in full use by the end of June 2009 for the personnel responsible for the daily production, inspections and repairs of gas transmission pipeline. In particular, the radio system will be used for managing and dispatching the production crews as well as for broadcasting important messages such as evacuation orders in case of an emergency. In short, the network will be a key element in guaranteeing the secure production and operation of Puguang Gas Field.

The DXTip, the heart of the system, is the only telecom-grade TETRA switch without a single point of failure, configured with redundancy hot backup to make the system very reliable, while also being secure and scaleable. The advanced EADS TB3 TETRA base station employs innovative technologies in terms of digital processing, diversity receiving, environmental protection and energy conservation. Its outstanding coverage ensures clear communication over a wide area netwowk (WAN) and makes field dispatching more secure and efficient.

Puguang Gas Field, located in Xuanhan County, Dazhou City, Sichuan province is the largest and richest marine gas field ever discovered in China, with estimated reserves reaching 500-550 billion cubic metres and an annual capacity of up to 10 billion cubic metres. The first stage of Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Project is a major program in their eleventh Five-year Plan; Puguang Gas Field breaks Sinopec's record of development in capital, construction scale, number of participants and new technology application.Upon its construction, Puguang Gas Field will directly transmit gas to Shanghai through Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, significantly easing the inconsistency in gas supply and demand, and improving gas pipeline infrastructure.

After a competitive bidding process, Puguang Gas Field chose advanced EADS TETRA Digital Trunking System to meet its urgent need of wireless commanding and dispatching for daily production, pipeline inspection, management dispatching, emergency and rescue commanding, and exploitation field management.

"This is the first digital trunking network for Chinese oil and gas field industry, and our TETRA system meets the very special needs of the crews on the field: it is very flexible, reliable, and scalable, and above all, it can provide better safety. We are ready to build this network as a model for the whole industry," said François Bégaud, head of Security and Communication Solutions for the Asia Pacific Region.

DS is a world leading provider of mission-critical communication and Command & Control solutions through its integrated activity Defence and Communications Systems (DCS).

DS is a systems solutions provider for armed forces and civil security worldwide. Its portfolio ranges from sensors and secure networks through missiles to aircraft and UAVs as well as global security, service and support solutions. In 2008, DS - with around 23,000 employees - achieved revenues of ? 5.7 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of ? 43.3 billion and employed a workforce of about 118,000.