Partnership provides network connectivity for offshore rigs with satellite network connectivity

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 10, 2015: Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), a major producer of oil and gas from the offshore areas of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has signed a contract with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE based satellite operator, to provide enterprise grade network connectivity to its rigs through Yahsat 1A satellite, UAE national satellite.

The multi-million dirham agreement covers connectivity between a number of offshore rigs and ADMA-OPCO headquarters with a plan for future expansion to include additional rigs. The communication link will be used by ADMA-OPCO for their day-to-day communications and operations.

The contract was signed by ADMA-OPCO Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ali. R. Al Jarwan and Yahsat Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Masood Sharif Mahmood in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the partnership agreement, Mr. Alaeddin AL-Badawna, Manager Information Technology of ADMA-OPCO, said: "It's indeed a major milestone in ADMA-OPCO initiatives to digital transformation and enhancing its users experience working offshore at the rigs and achieving both technical and operational excellence at its oil fields.

Mr. Ali Al Hashmi, General Manager, YahService, said: "We are proud to be working with ADMA-OPCO and our partnership addresses their requirement for seamless offshore communications in the vital oil and gas sector. We design services that provide reliable, innovative, secure and dedicated high-speed connectivity across our footprint. Yahsat, being based in Abu Dhabi, is well positioned to provide a fast response and excellent after-sales support, as we understand ADMA-OPCO's needs for high availability connection for their day-to-day operations."

Mr. Al Hashmi continued: "Our Yahsat 1A satellite's ability to provide large capacity for a variety of essential business activities will provide enhanced communications solutions across ADMA-OPCO's rig fleet. It will play a crucial role in their daily rig-to-shore operations and future growth plans."

YahService offers end-to-end managed solutions to customers from both governmental and commercial sectors covering land, air and maritime platforms bringing together product capabilities and expertise using satellite capacity from Yahsat and different satellite operators. Yahsat's expertise extends across the globe to embassies, rural communities, border control services, oil and gas companies, the health sector, banks as well as emergencies and disaster relief.

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC "Yahsat" 
Yahsat provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose satellite services including:

• YahClick - offers home solutions, business solutions and transportable solutions

• YahService - offers managed solutions and government capacity

• YahLink - offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking capacity and backhauling capacity

• Yahlive - a joint venture between Yahsat and SES, a leading global satellite operator, offers a selective choice of premium TV channels

Yahsat's first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company's second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012. Yahsat has announced plans to launch its third satellite, Al Yah 3, in 2016, extending their commercial Ka-band coverage across Africa and, for the first time, in Brazil.

For more information visit www.Yahsat.ae or www.mubadala.ae

About Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO)
The Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) is a major producer of oil and gas from the offshore areas of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We pride ourselves on being a pioneering petroleum company in this part of the world, having completed over 50 years of oil and gas production. 
 
Oil and gas production comes from two major oil fields, Umm Shaif and Lower Zakum, from which crude oil is transferred to Das Island for processing, storage and export. In 1962, the first crude shipment, which came from Umm Shaif, was exported from Abu Dhabi through Das Island to the international markets. 
 
Over the years, ADMA-OPCO has gone through an aggressive process of change which has already borne fruit. Under this process, the company has managed to maintain its commitment to achieving a long-term projects programme covering facilities expansion, new installations, additional drilling, production development, inspection and integrity management and most importantly the fast paced development of new fields i.e. Satah Al Razboot (SARB), NASR and Umm Lulu fields. 
 
The last five decades have seen ADMA take a remarkable journey which is today reflected in unimaginable change in Abu Dhabi. The company has grown in parallel with the growth of Abu Dhabi. It is closely aligned to the strategy of the leadership of the UAE. In line with Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030, ADMA-OPCO is playing its role as the Emirate develops into a world city.

© Press Release 2015