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Safety is a term used in various aspects of life, ranging from personal responsibility to workplace applications. In most applications, the smartphone reigns as the preferred method of communication to facilitate personal responsibility. With all the advancements made in cellular connectivity, however, those with hobbies and careers that take them beyond the limitations of cellular coverage can find coverage in ZOLEO, a safety tool and application that boast the durability needed to traverse challenging environments and harsh terrain harnessed in a durable, field-ready design offered at an affordable price.
ZOLEO allows users to message over satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi networks, and facilitates SOS emergency alerting. At the same level, the device offers 24/7 access to non-emergency medical assistance, including information regarding how to treat a specific injury or medical condition. ZOLEO adds a layer to safety by allowing users to share their GPS location through check-in messages, automatic location updates, and SOS alerts – all accessible via a secure Share Map URL. This enables designated recipients, such as managers, dispatchers, and safety personnel to monitor real-time location and movement, helping organizations stay informed.
“ZOLEO is a compact, two-way satellite communication device that keeps you connected when you’re beyond cellular coverage,” says Lu Parente, Senior Product Manager at ZOLEO. “Paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth, it enables seamless text messaging anywhere, along with access to weather forecasts, location sharing and check-ins with team members or loved ones, non-emergency medical advice, and, most critically, SOS alerting in emergencies.”
How it Works
The ZOLEO device resembles a deck of playing cards in size and can be attached to the user in a variety of ways. The ZOLEO device features dedicated buttons for Check-In and SOS alerting, allowing users to communicate their well-being, share their location, or request help, even without a connected smartphone. This ensures critical functions remain accessible in any situation. Check-In messages can be sent to up to five contacts and include the user’s GPS coordinates with a link to a map. They can be delivered via SMS, email or to others using the ZOLEO app.
Oil and Gas Application
While ZOLEO provides solutions for various scenarios, such as remote healthcare and backcountry adventure seekers, it additionally meets the needs throughout the oil and gas industry. Fossil fuel extraction is often sought in remote areas, such as the vast asset areas of the Permian Basin and the Bakken Formation. Even with advancements in cellular communication, coverage is often limited in these remote areas.
ZOLEO serves as a reliable and cost-effective communication solution to enhance safety. While infrastructure is developed and constructed, pipeline crews, civil contractors, support services workers, and facility development teams often face high-risk environments where reliable communication is critical – not just for personal safety, but for efficient coordination, shift reporting, and operational oversight as well.
Field teams operating in remote oil and gas sites often face serious risks, from heat exhaustion to dangerous wildlife encounters. ZOLEO gives field teams a lifeline when traditional networks fail, enabling them to request help instantly via SOS or stay in regular contact with supervisors, safety teams, and loved ones. For businesses, this means greater visibility into field activity, faster emergency response, and enhanced worker confidence on high-risk job sites. Its rugged design and ease of deployment make ZOLEO ideal for rotating crews, temporary job sites, and remote infrastructure projects where quick setup and reliable communications are critical.
Multiple applications solicit the market to meet the oil and gas industry’s need for lone-worker programs. When development and construction are completed, many oil and gas sites are monitored by individuals rather than work groups. Pipeline technicians and production operators are often assigned routes and territories to manage and maintain. It is not uncommon for these professionals to have limited contact with other workers, and sometimes, depending on the terrain and location, communication fails to be as robust as preferred.
Oil and gas companies provide policies to protect these professionals with lone-worker programs. Reliable communication is essential for lone workers to alert management of incidents and provide the means to solicit emergency assistance. ZOLEO meets this need by supporting check-ins, safety confirmations, and operational updates – ensuring safe operations, while lone workers provide updates on tank levels, pressure readings, production capabilities, and other crucial information.
ZOLEO allows the user to send this information to the receiving party in addition to personal safety updates. While it does not enable voice communication, ZOLEO can be paired with the user’s smartphone to generate text messages to send this critical data to the selected contacts.
According to Parente, ZOLEO features intelligent network switching for uninterrupted connectivity across various networks. When paired with a smartphone, ZOLEO uses intelligent least-cost message routing, which automatically selects the most cost-effective and available network (Wi-Fi, cellular or satellite) to send and receive messages. This ensures reliable communication while minimizing costs, without requiring the user to manually switch networks. Oil and gas workers can stay focused on the task at hand, with the confidence that their communications are handled automatically and reliably – no need to manage network settings or connections.
“ZOLEO uses the Iridium satellite network, one of the most powerful networks for truly global coverage,” says Parente. The device only needs a clear line of sight to the sky to establish connectivity. It connects to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth Low Energy, enabling access to the ZOLEO mobile app. This allows the device to remain outside in view of the sky, while the user stays connected from up to 50 meters (164 feet) away – ideal for moving around a worksite or inside a shelter.
Securing its Place
As the oil and gas industry expands to meet energy production needs, those locales will undoubtedly be remote, bringing workplace safety challenges. Companies will continue to strive to protect the workforce and provide safety capabilities.
ZOLEO technology continues to evolve with its commitment to global coverage, delivering a reliable and scalable communication solution for remote operations. Whether supporting lone-worker safety programs, upholding an organization’s duty of care, streamlining field-to-office coordination, or strengthening emergency response readiness, ZOLEO offers an affordable and rugged device purpose-built for teams operating beyond the reach of cellular networks.
“We’re continuously working to improve the ZOLEO experience,” says Parente. “We actively gather feedback from various sources, including customer reviews, direct user input, and insights from our business partners. This feedback helps guide our regular mobile app updates, which include new features and ongoing enhancements.”
Join industry leaders who trust ZOLEO for reliable communication in the field. See how ZOLEO can work for your team.
Headline photo: ZOLEO pairs with your smartphone to deliver reliable messaging, location sharing, and SOS alerting anywhere your work takes you.
Nick Vaccaro is a freelance writer and photographer. In addition to providing technical writing services, he is an HSE consultant in the oil and gas industry with twelve years of experience. Vaccaro also contributes to SHALE Oil and Gas Business Magazine, American Oil and Gas Investor, Oil and Gas Investor, Energies Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. He has a BA in photojournalism from Loyola University and resides in the New Orleans area. Vaccaro can be reached at 985-966-0957 or nav@vaccarogroupllc.com.
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
Oil and gas operations are commonly found in remote locations far from company headquarters. Now, it's possible to monitor pump operations, collate and analyze seismic data, and track employees around the world from almost anywhere. Whether employees are in the office or in the field, the internet and related applications enable a greater multidirectional flow of information – and control – than ever before.