New article in the Petroleum Journal: Safe Transfer. Protection of especially valuable information. No.2 (92) April 2015

Now, when it would seem that it is possible to track any information flows, the issue of data transmission security is extremely relevant. Especially if information needs to be delivered quickly, ideally in real time. To solve this problem, a secure corporate network is required. Information delivered on time through reliable channels guarantees constant monitoring of work performance, which, in turn, makes it possible to quickly make decisions.

 

In addition, with the constant transfer of data in real time, if necessary, you can get an expert's advice from the customer, he will not have to go to the site to get acquainted with the materials. At the same time, it is very important that the transmission is carried out without failures and through channels protected from the external network, so that no one, except the sender and the addressee, can use the transferred data. The efficiency of the organization of the communication channel is also important for the customer.

 

Getting a corporate network up and running quickly is challenging but achievable. Zhigermunayservice LLP provides engineering support for drilling a directional well at S. Nurzhanov field by order of SBP Kazmunaygaz-Burenie LLP. Zhigermunayservice LLP specializes in leasing, repairing, manufacturing drilling, oilfield and non-standard equipment, oil and gas field development.

 

 The contractor needed to transfer data on the progress of drilling at the well to the customer, KMG Exploration Assets LLP. However, it was not possible to establish a secure connection between the two offices, and transferring data over the Internet was unwise and dangerous. At the same time, the deadlines were running out, a solution had to be found in a matter of days. The company ASTEL came to the rescue, which has experience in organizing secure networks, and not only for customers in the oil and gas sector. In just 15 days, ASTEL specialists organized a secure corporate network (IP VPN) for the client to transfer data from the well via a digital communication channel to the KMG Exploration Assets office in Atyrau using SkyEdge II satellite equipment.

 

This project made it possible to monitor the well while drilling, including the transmission of such data as the position of the diverter in space, the zenith angle of the borehole, the magnetic azimuth of the borehole, the load on the bit, the pressure on the riser and the actual bottomhole depth, gamma-ray logging. As the General Director of Zhigermunayservice Askhat Duisaliev notes, Zhigermunayservice and ASTEL plan to use this positive experience to work at other facilities. “We were impressed by the experience of ASTEL specialists, their knowledge, ability to quickly find a solution and implement a project in a few days,” he added. - This case demonstrated not only the high professionalism of ASTEL employees, but also the well-organized processes within it, competent coordination of the efforts of specialists. That is why we managed to launch the network into operation in such a short time frame, 15 days".

 

Why is information security so important in the oil and gas business? A data leak can cause damage to the company's business reputation, loss of competitive advantage, and delay in project implementation. Earlier, a similar order was carried out by ASTEL specialists for KazTransOil. For the operator of main oil pipelines, the safety of transmitted information is also of great importance because it is necessary to protect oil pipelines from illegal tie-ins, theft of oil and even from terrorist attacks. The telecommunications company has been cooperating with KazTransOil for 8 years - since 2007. For KTO, ASTEL has built closed digital data transmission channels Astana-Atyrau, Astana-Moscow, Astana-Pavlodar. They made it possible to establish the transmission of both information and voice with absolute protection from the external network. ASTEL is a service integrator, one of the leaders in the Kazakhstani telecommunications market. It was founded 23 years ago - in 1993 and until 1997 it was called Arna-Sprint Data Communications, since 1997 it bears the name ASTEL.

 

The main activity of the company is the provision of telecommunication services based on its own KazNet® network, as well as the construction of corporate data and voice networks using advanced technologies. The company provides a wide range of additional services, from network design and equipment supply to commissioning and training of the customer's personnel. What the client gets from cooperation with ASTEL:

• Guaranteed solution of complex communication problems from a partner with 23 years of experience in the field of telecommunications;
• Access to one of the most extensive and modern telecommunication networks in Kazakhstan, which allows you to connect any client who contacts ASTEL;
• Round-the-clock customer support service in the cities of Almaty and Astana;
• Redundancy of all trunk channels;
• Representative offices in all regional centers of Kazakhstan, which makes it possible to most effectively solve the client's problems and promptly leave for technical teams.

 

A personal manager works with the client on an ongoing basis. The company is certified according to the following standards: ISO / IEC 20000-1: 2011 - IT service management system, ISO / IEC 27001: 2005 - information security management system, ISO 14001-2004 - environmental management system, OHSAS 18001-2007 - professional management system health and safety and ISO 9001: 2008 - quality management system. ASTEL ranks first in terms of the number of installed and operated satellite earth stations on the territory of the Republic.

 

More than 2,800 satellite stations, which are located throughout Kazakhstan, operate in the company's network. Zhigermunayservice is a 100% Kazakhstani enterprise, whose products (drilling and oilfield equipment) are certified and meet the requirements of ST-RK. The company has international certificates API, ISO, OHSAS. And comprehensive experience in contract work: general contractor, subcontractor, turnkey delivery of objects, alliances.

 

Amina Jalilova