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Island Drilling invests in multi-layer connectivity on semi-submersible rig
A Norwegian offshore drilling contractor is installing a multitude of communications technologies on its harsh-environment semi-submersible rig
Island Drilling has contracted Tampnet to provide a communications stack for the harsh-environment semi-submersible Island Innovator.
Tampnet has a five-year contract with Island Drilling to deliver high-speed connectivity between the 2012-built, GM4000 WI design well drilling and intervention rig.
Low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite backhaul from SpaceX’s Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb will be provided along with Tampnet’s long-term evolution network around the North Sea and its multi-carrier low-footprint, high-speed microwave/fibre backbone (T-Fast)
Tampnet said it will combine this with an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven orchestration layer that automatically routes each data packet over the optimal path, while a managed private 4G/5G network delivers data and communications across the entire rig.
“Island Innovator operates in some of the world’s toughest conditions,” said Island Drilling chief executive Roger Simmens. “Tampnet’s multi-layer network and private 5G capability will let our crews work smarter and safer while enabling our rig for the digital future”.
This will be deployed and fully operational before Island Innovator commences its next North Sea campaign in Q4 2025.
Island Innovator, with an eight-line mooring system and DP3 dynamic position, is fully contracted from 2026 to 2028 and could be busy until 2033 if all options are taken.
Tampnet’s network on this rig will be tuned frequently, while the 4G/5G coverage is suitable for use by crew members, sensors, drones and robotics, and is supported remotely from Tampnet’s onshore operations centres.
“A well-connected rig is no longer a nice-to-have; it is the backbone for remote operations and data-driven decision-making,” said Tampnet chief commercial officer Trygve Hagevik. “By blending LEO, LTE and microwave/fibre with real-time AI traffic steering and a private network, we are giving Island Drilling the performance and resilience it needs – plus the freedom to scale advanced use cases such as predictive maintenance, digital twins and autonomous inspections.”
Island Innovator is equipped with a NOV 4000 HP ram-type cylinder rig, with hydraulic active heave compensation and separate pipe racking tower. It has NOV blowout preventer (BOP) handling system and a five-ram BOP stack from Cameron.
Island Drilling said Island Innovator is purpose-built for production drilling on subsea templates, with designated areas for storage, and a skidding system to bring hybrid coiled tubing in position for the moonpool elevator.
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