Abstract
This report is intended for IT and communications departments of the Oil and
Gas industry (GOI) organizations as well as for suppliers of communications
equipment for GOI or similar industries. Oil and gas companies need highly-
reliable and well-managed communication networks to control and monitor their
mission-critical applications.
The report researches two technological trends, which bring multiple benefits
for users: development of Industrial Ethernet and development of TETRA radio.
Though unrelated to each other, both trends are supported by numerous
suppliers; and with equipment designed satisfying GOI requirements, including
protection from various elements as well as with the ability to support
specified communications characteristics in potentially explosive environments.
Industrial Automation (IA) “Ethernization” became a reality with proliferation
of the Ethernet/IP (as well as other protocols discussed in this report).
Ethernet/IP (EIP) is an industrial application layer protocol specifically
built for the IA environment. Developed on the standard TCP/IP protocol suite,
EIP-Ethernet Industrial Protocol- uses all the traditional Ethernet hardware
and software to define an application layer protocol that structures the task
of configuring, accessing and controlling IA devices. Ethernet/IP classifies
Ethernet nodes as predefined device types with specific behaviors. The set of
device types and the EIP application layer protocol are based on the Control
and Information Protocol (CIP) layer used in popular IA networks. Building on
these widely used protocol suites, Ethernet/IP provides a seamless integrated
system from the sensor-actuator network to the controller and enterprise
networks. The report analyzes specifics of Ethernet applications for
industrial automation - though Ethernet is the primary protocol for
Enterprise, it was not well known in IA just several years ago. Developed
Ethernet standards as well as adaptation these standards for IA stimulated
Ethernet proliferation at the industrial floor. The report analyzes portfolios
of major vendors, and stresses that many of them are designing equipment to
satisfy requirements of GOI users. The report also estimates the market size
for industrial Ethernet and the addressable market for the GOI sector.
GOI also uses an extensive line of wireless technologies, including both
terrestrial and satellite connections. The report shows that GOI gradually
accepts standard land-mobile radio-TETRA- to fulfill requirements for
terrestrial communications. TETRA radio is designed for public safety
communications and for special industries such as transportation, utilities
and GOI. Though a share of GOI in the TETRA market is not large (3%-5%), the
report shows that further adoption of this standard may result in numerous
benefits for GOI. The report analyzes TETRA technological and marketing
features and stresses their applicability for GOI. It also introduces recent
projects that resulted in TETRA deployments for GOI; and estimates the TETRA
market size.
Altogether, the report shows that proliferation of Industrial Ethernet as an
important part of GOI Industrial Automation development; and the wide
acceptance of TETRA radio for a variety of data, voice and video applications
equip GOI with up-to-date advanced communications technologies. These
technologies help GOI to develop a modern communications infrastructure and to
support reliable operations even in extreme environments.
Research Methodology
Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various
Web sites was studied and analyzed. Evaluation of publicly available marketing
and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and
interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives.
In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were
used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including
industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.
The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and
relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the
information content.
Target Audience
This report is written mainly for IT and communications departments of Gas and
Oil industry organizations. It aims to the technical staff and managers of
these organizations who understand specifics of the GOI, but have limited
exposure to the current status and trends of advanced communications
technologies relevant to the GOI industry. The report audience also may
include a wide variety of communications vendors and providers that work for
the Gas and Oil industry.
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