Tampnet, a dominant offshore telecommunications provider in the North Sea and the US Gulf of Mexico, is experiencing growing demand for connectivity driven by AI, digitalisation, and a focus on crew welfare. Its infrastructure, which it owns and operates, includes 5400 kilometres of subsea fibre optic cables and 600,000 square kilometres of 4G/5G network coverage in these regions. This connectivity is the critical enabler for the digitalised offshore oil and gas field, allowing the integration of AI, analytics, and new digital tools into daily operations to enhance production and reduce costs.

Evolution and Growth

Founded in 2001 from a project for Equinor, Tampnet has grown from a handful of staff to 170 employees. Its network has expanded through new field developments and acquisitions. Key projects include providing subsea fibre and later 4G/5G coverage for fields like Mariner and Edvard Grieg. At Edvard Grieg, Tampnet installed the world's first fully autonomous private 5G and edge compute solution on an offshore platform, a system also ordered for several Aker BP fields. The company's infrastructure is now deemed critical under Norwegian security legislation, carrying 30% of Norway's international data traffic.

Strategic Market Expansion

Tampnet has successfully replicated its Norwegian model in the competitive US Gulf of Mexico market, which is now its fastest-growing region. It has secured contracts for major developments like Shenandoah, Salamanca, and the Trion field in the Mexican Gulf, with cable landing in Texas, as well as for BP's Kaskida and Tiber. The company is also building a presence in Trinidad and Tobago and eastern Canada. This expansion is built on a reputation for delivering projects on budget and schedule, fostering trust with major operators.

Beyond Oil & Gas and Network Management

Beyond the energy sector, Tampnet operates Tampnet International Carrier, serving the Nordic data centre industry with subsea links like the Norfest cable connecting Oslo to Stavanger, which serves clients including Google and Green Mountain. For its offshore customers, Tampnet prioritises maximising the user experience. This involves ensuring comprehensive 4G/5G coverage across assets, prioritising critical production and safety data over recreational traffic, and providing good connectivity for crew welfare—including streaming and gaming—which is crucial for recruiting younger personnel. The company may also utilise new satellite technologies for mobile assets outside its coverage area.

Financial Performance and Future

Tampnet's current owners, 3i Group and ATP, report that the company has outperformed expectations, exceeding revenue and Ebitda targets. This strong performance is driven by increased offshore activity and ongoing demand for bandwidth upgrades. While a future divestment by the current owners is anticipated, the company is positioned at the centre of the offshore digital transition, with its high-speed, high-capacity networks being the foundational requirement for innovation and remote operations in the industry.