Tideland Racon to Mark Nigeria's Ofon 2 platforms
Tideland Signal's -50dBm SeaBeacon 2 System 6 racon (radar beacon) has been chosen to mark the Ofon 2 offshore complex in OML 102 (Oil Mining Lease), 65 kilometers off the Nigerian coast.
Feature of the SeaBeacon 2 System 6 dual-band racon are its dynamic range, sensitivity of -50dBm for both X- and S- Band, and output, making it visible from greater distances. Because of its reliability and extremely economical power consumption, it is suitable for remote, solar-powered installations as well as offshore and mains-powered installations.
SeaBeacon 2 System 6 can respond simultaneously and with a unique level of frequency accuracy to both X and S-band radars, even those with very narrow receiver bandwidths. The design gives operators an exceptionally clear indication of its identity and location and proportional scaling ensures that the racon trace remains clearly visible on radar displays regardless of the range scale selected.
Tideland has supplied over 900 System 6 racons to customers all round the world, one of whom has calculated that cost-of-ownership is less than 5% of the initial investment. Tideland’s racons have proven extremely economical and reliable in operation, particularly compared with competing models, having established an average trouble-free service life to date of over 14 years for the System 6 model.
The OFON Phase 2 project consists of a processing platform, two production platforms and an accommodation platform which are scheduled to come on stream in 2014. This will release the field's undeveloped reserves and increase production to 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from 30,000 barrels. Most of the development is dedicated to recovering natural gas, which will be compressed and evacuated to shore. The partners in OML 102 are Total Exploration-Production Nigeria Ltd (40%, operator) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC - 60%).