Schlumberger, ERF deal targets oil and gas wireless services

Houston, Texas -  ERF Wireless Inc. and Schlumberger have entered into an agreement to deliver wireless broadband services throughout North America. Schlumberger will extend the footprint of its IPresence and IPerformer services using ERF Wireless comprehensive high-speed low-latency wireless and WiMAX coverage, the companies said.

"This joint contract with ERF Wireless provides Schlumberger with the ability to deliver cost effective communications to the oil and gas industry in the ERF Wireless coverage areas," said Slavo Pastor, vice president, Schlumberger Information Solutions, North America. "This will increase real-time activities and collaboration between remote sites and office-based asset teams."

Under the deal, Schlumberger will exclusively resell wireless broadband and WiMAX terrestrial communications products and services from ERF Wireless in the North American oil and gas market.

John Nagel, CEO of the ERF Wireless Oil and Gas Services subsidiary, said: "The new Schlumberger and ERF Wireless broadband service empowers energy companies to execute on their digital oilfield initiatives. We¹re proud to be working with Schlumberger to increase productivity, safety and crew welfare throughout the North American oil and gas sector."

ERF Wireless owns and operates one of the largest wireless broadband networks in the domestic oil and gas sector and is aggressively building and acquiring new wireless broadband networks in territories specific to the oil and gas business.

"Over the past year, the oil and gas industry has become an important part of the ERF Wireless business plan to further utilize the extensive wireless networks we have built and acquired over the past four years. Through this agreement with Schlumberger, we are developing a premiere oil and gas sales channel for our wireless broadband. This will be a powerful catalyst for our vertical markets growth into the oil and gas sector," said Dean Cubley, CEO of ERF Wireless.

ERF Wireless began its high-speed wireless broadband services to the oil and gas industry by mobilising its Mobile Broadband Trailer System (MBTS) to active drilling sites. The rugged and portable delivery mechanism uniquely supports the mobile nature of drilling and production operations.

The company's wireless network delivers real-time data and high-speed Internet bandwidth to remote drilling, production and pipeline facilities. ERF Wireless¹ high-speed bandwidth also enables Voice Over IP, video conferencing, security surveillance, and monitoring systems to protect employees, the environment, and on-site assets.

Over the last 15 years, Schlumberger claims to have become a major communication providers to the oil and gas industry, delivering communication solutions to remote and frontier locations. Schlumberger offers a variety of satellite, wireless, terrestrial, data and voice solutions. Through the design and implementation of custom-engineered communication solutions, Schlumberger provides network solutions where reliable telecommunications infrastructure is not readily available.