ONGC installs offshore surveillance system

NEW DELHI: Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has installed a Vessel and Air Traffic Management System (VATMS) for surveillance of Western Offshore oil and gas installations.
   
The VATMS was inaugurated by ONGC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma in Mumbai today, a company press release said here.

The state-of-the-art surveillance system was implemented by ONGC on the recommendation of Naval Headquarters and Offshore Defence Advisory Group (ODAG).
   
"ODAG, Navy and Coastguard are partnering ONGC in providing security for the offshore installations of ONGC and joint venture companies. VATMS will help them round the clock in monitoring the waters of the Arabian Sea with real time data," it said.

ONGC presently has 12 process complexes and more than 130 well head platforms located in the western offshore. In addition to these, there are assets under joint venture operations. More than 7,000 oilmen are deployed to man these operations in the western offshore. "VATMS is designed to assist in monitoring the movement of all vessels in this zone."

"The sophisticated surveillance system will be able to assist in search and rescue operations and also track any drifting or intruding vessel so that a timely interception can be made," the release said adding the technology was effective in all weather conditions.