One of the key benefits of this new service is that senior executives in head offices in London, Houston or elsewhere can respond to an emergency, at least initially, via remote access over the internet without jumping on a plane. Jim Black, Managing Director of J J Black Consultancy Limited, explains: “As the service allows energy companies to see all assets in any geographical area - including those assets that they do not own or operate - it means that, in the event of an emergency, for example a vessel in distress, the oil company can identify the nearest asset, such as another vessel, crew boat, or even drilling rig, and then contact the local authorities, usually the coastguard, to request assistance.