Intrinsically Safe Communications for Offshore Oil & Gas Maintenance Campaigns
Offshore shutdowns and turnarounds are high-pressure environments.
- Additional personnel mobilise to the asset.
- Multiple contractors operate at the same time.
- Critical systems are temporarily taken offline.
Risk increases.
During a Turnaround (TAR), communication becomes a core safety control, not a convenience.
Most offshore platforms hold a limited reserve of intrinsically safe radios. These are intended to replace damaged or faulty units, not to support a large-scale maintenance campaign lasting several months.
Keeping dozens of ATEX radios unused for most of the year is not commercially viable.
This is where NET provides scalable offshore radio hire.
The Challenge: Additional ATEX Radios for a 6-Month Offshore TAR
During a planned offshore Turnaround, the operator required additional intrinsically safe two-way radios to support increased personnel on the rig.
Key requirements included:
- ATEX-certified radios suitable for hazardous areas
- Full compatibility with existing site frequencies
- Rapid mobilisation aligned with planned TAR start dates
- Accessories and spare batteries for continuous offshore use
- Flexibility to extend hire duration if required
The campaign was expected to run for several months.
Communication failure was not an option.
NET’s Approach: Offshore Radio Hire Done Properly
Every offshore radio hire begins with structured planning.
We confirmed:
- Quantity of radios required
- UHF frequency details and channel structure
- Operational use and accessory requirements
- Delivery location and mobilisation timeline
All programming was completed in-house by NET engineers.
Our objective is straightforward: when equipment arrives offshore, it must operate exactly like the client’s existing fleet.
No reconfiguration offshore.
No delays to mobilisation.
No disruption to operations.
Equipment Supplied
We supplied:
- 45 × Motorola DP4401EX UHF ATEX radios
- Programmed to the asset’s operational frequencies
- Channel announcement enabled for safe “no-look” channel selection
- Spare batteries and multi-unit charging systems
- ATEX-approved headsets and accessories
Channel announcements allow operatives to switch channels without looking at the device.
In hazardous offshore environments, maintaining visual awareness of surroundings is critical.
Additional units could be deployed at short notice if operational scope increased.
All equipment was fully tested, configured and documented prior to dispatch.
Mobilisation & Offshore Coordination
NET coordinated directly with the client’s logistics and offshore teams.
Delivery was aligned with personnel mobilisation schedules to ensure equipment was available prior to embarkation.
The radios integrated immediately into the existing offshore communication system without further configuration.
There were no communication-related delays during mobilisation.
The Result: Operational from day one.
The additional ATEX radios functioned as an extension of the client’s permanent fleet.
Clear communication supported:
- Safe working practices in hazardous zones
- Efficient coordination between engineering and contractor teams
- Reduced operational disruption during critical maintenance
The TAR extended to six months.
NET’s hire agreement remained open-ended, allowing the operator to focus on delivering the maintenance programme without pressure from fixed equipment deadlines.
Offshore ATEX Radio Hire UK – Supporting Shutdowns, Turnarounds & Maintenance
NET supports offshore oil & gas operators and industrial energy clients with:
- ATEX radio hire and intrinsically safe communication equipment
- Short-term and long-term offshore rental solutions
- In-house frequency programming and configuration
- Rapid mobilisation across the UK and internationally
- Full accessory, battery and charging support
Our hire fleet is designed to scale with operational demand, whether supporting a short maintenance window or an extended offshore turnaround.
If you are planning a shutdown or Turnaround (TAR), early engagement ensures the right ATEX communication solution is in place before mobilisation begins.
In offshore environments, reliable communication is a safety control, not an accessory.