The project was introduced on March 26 during the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum – of which Silicone Connect served as a Executive Sponsor – with Managing Director Gaëtan Soltesz presenting the initiative.

“Offshore projects in Congo do not have access to proper communication. What is being used currently – satellite communication – is very costly and the quality of the internet is very poor,” said Soltesz. “The Neptune project aims to bring fiber optics offshore and connect oil rigs and floating operators for oil and gas operators in the market.”

The project will deploy cutting-edge fiber optic technology, significantly enhancing offshore connectivity with high-speed data transmission. Featuring speeds of up to 100Gb per platform, the system is designed to improve productivity and competitiveness among oil and gas operators in Congo.

Engineered for multiple platform connections, the Neptune project will include branches extending up to 100 km, with the capability to integrate future connections to additional production facilities. Its goal is to reduce operating expenses for offshore operators while improving communication quality and network reliability.

By mitigating reliance on expensive and bandwidth-limited satellite and microwave links, the project will deliver lower latency and more stable connections. Additionally, Neptune is set to enable 4G and 5G offshore mobile services for vessels operating in the area, with a potential connectivity reach of up to 10 km from rig-installed satellites.