MILPITAS, CA (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses and individuals, announced that Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC has entered into an agreement with Equipment & Controls, Inc. (ECI) based in Pittsburgh, PA. The agreement calls for Chesapeake to use ExtraNET CC communications controllers purchased from ECI and the Globalstar satellite data network to transmit SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and other information from its remote natural gas wells throughout the Appalachian Gas Basin back to the Chesapeake host computers. The communications controllers will be installed on various Chesapeake gas well sites located in remote locations not easily serviced by traditional land-based and wireless infrastructure.
ECI is a distributor of the ExtraNET CC, a communications controller designed by Crystalline Technology Inc. to provide seamless communications using the Globalstar GSP-1620 duplex data modem and the Globalstar satellite data network. ECI provides customers such as Chesapeake with turnkey solutions for cost-effective monitoring and control of remote assets.
"With the unique capability of static IP and private data through a VPN direct to the Globalstar network, Chesapeake was equipped with the freedom to pick the host and select the flow computers of their choice and without regard to the communication solution," said Dennis Allen, Senior vice president of U.S. Sales and Marketing for Globalstar, Inc. Mr. Allen added, "The end result is a uniform and cost-efficient gas measurement system that was easily and quickly deployed, meeting the demanding requirements of the natural gas industry."
Chesapeake is able to depend on ExtraNET CC / Globalstar for data from Emerson Process Management ROC and Floboss flow computers and RTUs which are sold and serviced locally by ECI. Cygnet ETM, also a solution represented by ECI, was chosen as the SCADA host providing for operational and custody transfer solutions in accordance to API and AGA recommendations.
Chesapeake called on ECI to provide a turnkey solution that worked throughout the Eastern U.S. without the need to resort to elaborate radio infrastructure and/or other more costly means for reaching the most remote assets.
Chesapeake and ECI initiated testing of the communications controllers using the Globalstar satellite network last year and began full-scale implementation of the program in the spring of 2007. The company plans to complete the first phase installation of the communications controllers later this year and will continue into subsequent phases in 2008 and beyond.
For additional information on solutions provided by ECI, please contact Dan Smith at [email protected] or by phone at 724-746-3700. For additional Globalstar sales information regarding the Globalstar data network or static IP service please contact Dwayne MacTavish at 817-421-5778 or via email at [email protected].
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 275,000 activated satellite voice and data units, Globalstar offers satellite services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's voice and data products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.
About Chesapeake Energy Corporation
Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the largest independent and third-largest overall producer of natural gas in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on exploratory and developmental drilling and corporate and property acquisitions in the Mid-Continent, Fort Worth Barnett Shale, Fayetteville Shale, Permian Basin, Delaware Basin, South Texas, Texas Gulf Coast, Ark-La-Tex and Appalachian Basin regions of the United States.
About Equipment & Controls, Inc. (ECI)
With offices located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, Equipment & Controls Inc. (ECI) has provided the natural gas industry with cost effective solutions for over 50 years. ECI is a local business partner of Fisher Controls and Emerson Process Management's Remote Automation Solutions Division for WV, Western PA and significant portions of Ohio providing measurement and automation solutions to a wide variety of markets including natural gas, power, chemical, refining, pulp and paper, coal and many others. For more information, please visit ECI's Web site or contact us at 724-746-3700.