SERVICE SECTOR / Retransmission of May 14/98 News Release:
Wi-LAN's Wireless Hopper (R) Modems Automate Wascana Energy Oil
Fields
ASE SYMBOL: WIN
MAY 20, 1998
CALGARY, ALBERTA--
Oil and gas company renews major preferred-supplier agreement to
buy Wi-LAN Hopper(R) modems
Wascana Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Occidental Petroleum
Ltd., announced today that it has renewed its relationship with
Calgary-based Wi-LAN Inc. (ASE:WIN), as a preferred supplier of
spread spectrum radio equipment for its field automation
initiatives in Western Canada. Wascana currently has more than
750 of Wi-LAN's Hopper(R) wireless modems in service, and expects
to double that number.
"Wascana Energy initially chose the Hopper wireless modem for its
robustness in transmitting and managing critical data in the often
rugged environment of the oil patch," says Nico Roelofsen, Vice
President, Sales at Wi-LAN. "Wascana is on the leading edge of
SCADA wireless development in the oil and gas industry. This deal,
valued at one million dollars, will ensure that Wi-LAN's
technology advancements will continue to support Wascana's
groundbreaking wireless initiatives."
REDUCING THE COST OF DATA ACQUISITION
Wi-LAN's wireless modems play a key role in Wascana's move towards
automating the remote multi-site data management of its oil
fields, by collecting data from each well-site. They constantly
monitor well status and can deliver essential information to a
processing station in only a few seconds.
Wascana's automation initiative began in 1995 in its Southeast
Saskatchewan business unit with a state-of-the-art supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Prior to the SCADA
system, field personnel had to drive to 700 different sites in a
12,000 square-kilometre area, making on-site data collection a
costly and time-consuming operation. Since this initial system was
implemented, Wascana has developed a number of other SCADA
projects in its operating areas throughout western Canada that use
Hopper wireless technology. Today, Wascana staff report to their
field office in the morning, log on to a computer and read
up-to-the-minute information supplied by Wi-LAN's wireless remote
units that are attached to remote terminal units at each well.
"Wireless communications goes where other technologies can't.
Wi-LAN's wireless modems are reliable, highly scalable and give us
great performance," says Tom Foord, Automation Coordinator,
Wascana Energy. "The flexibility, ease-of-use and low price of
wireless telemetry is undoubtedly the technology of choice for
transmitting information from remote sites with little existing
network infrastructure."
Wi-LAN's spread-spectrum technology was chosen over standard
narrow-band wireless SCADA systems, which are often subject to
interference and can be delayed by costly and time-consuming
licensing regulations. Hopper modems operate in licence-exempt ISM
radio bands, freeing users from licensing fees or monthly
data-line charges.
Brian Weninger, Buyer at Wascana Energy comments, "Wi-LAN has
demonstrated strong dedication and involvement in enhancing
Wascana Energy's award-winning SCADA system over the past two
years, and Wascana intends to develop this further in the years to
come." He says Wascana is considering future applications for
other Wi-LAN products such as the Hopper Plus(R) wireless Ethernet
bridge.
WI-LAN CHARTS CONTINUED GROWTH
This latest agreement follows the April 14th announcement that
Wi-LAN has entered into a two-phase contract to supply Wireless
Local Loop systems to a major European communications company that
cannot be named at this time.
In the first phase, Wi-LAN's products will be used in a fixed
high-speed wireless data network providing nation-wide services to
businesses and homes. Wi-LAN expects the initial phase of the
contract to generate $1.6 million in revenue in 1998 through
product deliveries and development fees. Wi-LAN expects to
provide at least 50 per cent of the company's Wireless Local Loop
(WLL) equipment requirements from 1999 to 2005.
Based on the terms and conditions of this contract, the value of
the second phase to Wi-LAN will range from $75 million to $150
million.
ABOUT THE HOPPER
Companies around the globe use the Hopper to replace or extend
standard wire lines, including many areas where wires are
unavailable or impractical. Highly cost effective, Hoppers are
used in a wide range of commercial, industrial and municipal
applications, including remote monitoring, fleet control, traffic
control and waster water management, or wherever reliable and
secure data acquisition, control or transmission is essential.
ABOUT WI-LAN INC.
Wi-LAN Inc. is a research, development and engineering company
whose mission is to design, build and market innovative,
leading-edge spread spectrum wireless networking technologies for
its global customers. Wi-LAN delivers spread spectrum wireless
data communications products that feature consistent high
performance, easy installation and superior quality at
significantly lower costs than traditional wire-based networking
alternatives. The company's products have been sold in more than
30 countries on six continents. Wi-LAN shares trade on the
Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol WIN. More information on
Wi-LAN can be found on the Web at wi-lan.com
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