Redline Builds Wireless Oilfield M2M Network

Redline Communications is building a wireless network for Shell Oil joint venture Petroleum Development Oman LLC (PDO) that provides full bi-directional data between headquarters and their oil and gas fields. Over 2,000 of the 5,000 oil wells in their Oman location are now connected wirelessly using Redline equipment to a centralized site where they are monitored and managed remotely. The real-time M2M eliminates the need to have workers drive from well to well to collect critical operating information and make changes to optimize the system.

Redline’s RDL-3000 and AN80i broadband radios, powered by SmartLINK software, are the cornerstone of the PDO system. They operate in point-to-multipoint configurations, allowing many units in the field to communicate over long distances to a smaller number of base stations which improves the cost effectiveness of the system.

Redline said its technology supports multiple types of machines communicating over the wireless network simultaneously. SCADA systems, RTUs, video surveillance cameras and Wi-Fi hotspots are all connected over the wide area Redline network, with the more important communications such as control over the well heads getting priority treatment.
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