Interview with Hamad Al-Mannai Vice President-Commercial, Es’hailSat

	Hamad Al-Mannai

Dubai, UAE,  May 20, 2024--To shed light on the growing market for satellite connectivity solutions in the energy market, Satellite Markets and Research caught up with with Hamad Al-Mannai Vice President-Commercial of Qatar-based satellite operator Es’hailSat. Excerpts of the interview follows:

Can you give us a brief overview of Es’hailSat’s offering for the energy market? 

Es’hailSat has been providing MENA’s Energy customers with end-to-end satellite services many years, be it using our Es’hail-1/Es’hail-2 satellites or via our state-of-the-art 50,000sqm teleport facility in Qatar. Our services include managed VSAT services, mobility services, and a host of advanced products and services together with partners such as Viasat, Inmarsat, Nilesat, iDirect, Kymeta, and others. As a satellite service provider based in Doha, Qatar we understand the needs of the Energy customers whether these entail resiliency, field support, disaster recovery or mobility services.

Can you cite an example of a solution you provide to a client in the oil and gas market? 

Gulf Drilling International Limited (GDI) is a world class drilling company and a market leader in Qatar that focuses on providing safe, efficient & cost-effective Drilling, Liftboat and Jack-up Accommodation services. GDI was established as the first onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling company in Qatar. Es’hailSat continues to deliver the connectivity services needed for GDI’s asset fleet in order to ensure that the crew and infrastructure remains connected and productive. We believe that the highly robust and reliable data services offered by us at Es’hailSat, powered by Fleet Broadband technology, have given GDI the confidence to continue with our services and enhance them as and when required.

What differentiates your company from other providers of satellite services to the oil and gas market? 

Among the many unique features of our company and services, are the strategically located 50,000 sqm Teleport in Doha, Qatar. It is from this location that we have multiple diverse fiber paths connected to the global Internet backbone which allows for resilient fiber connectivity to our primary location. Furthermore, we have an iDirect hub that is commissioned at our Teleport which serves as the cornerstone of our managed VSAT service offering. We have also developed a team of in-house Field Support engineers who are certified and trained in installation, support, and maintenance in the most challenging offshore and onshore environments. We believe the combination of these unique features has enabled partnerships with the likes of Viasat, Inmarsat, GDI and others and together gives us an edge over other providers in the market.

Es’hailSat’s unique geographic location in Doha, Qatar places us at the epicenter of the Energy sector in the Middle East region. Critical communications have long been one of the core pillars of Es’hailSat’s satellite service portfolio, whether that is for premium broadcasters in the region or for Energy companies needing connectivity onshore and offshore. Also, as a young and agile company, we offer flexibility in terms of the services and commercial offerings that we bring to this dynamic marketplace.

What do you see as the key trends in the oil and gas market and how is Es’hailSat positioned to leverage these trends?

Technology evolution is a common trend impacting all sectors and Oil and Gas market is no exception. Es’hailSat is constantly adopting the latest advancements in international technology, including but not limited to Optical Laser Communications, Flat Panel Antennas, Cloud Playout services, Mobility and Telecommunication services. Going forward, 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks will complement our existing satellite infrastructure and provide a more efficient way to deliver high-speed data and voice services to remote locations. In addition to supporting Internet of Things  (IoT) and  Machine to  Machine (M2M) applications, they can also provide reliable means of communication in disaster affected areas. Apart from rigs, we also cater to providing communications infrastructure to various other vessels at sea. We have developed specific partnerships such as Kymeta in order to cater to this growing segment. This includes incorporating the use of flat panel antennas and supporting vessels of all sizes that require data and voice connectivity.

“...as a young and agile company, we offer flexibility in terms of the services and commercial offerings that we bring to this dynamic marketplace....”

Anything else that you would like to add? 

Es’hailSat’s pursuit of excellence extends beyond the sky and on the ground with its state-of-the-art Teleport facility. Spanning an impressive 50,000 square meters, this facility is a technological marvel that embodies the capabilities of complementing satellite communications with ground infrastructure. Equipped with the space for building innovative studios, ample room for equipment hosting, and top tier uplinking and downlinking services, the Teleport facility is strategically positioned for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) coverage in Doha, Qatar. It serves as the backbone for the distribution of content via Es’hailSat’s two leading satellites, Es’hail-1, and Es’hail-2 at 25.5/26 East hotspot.