Project Delivery for Secure Remote Access Across a Global Drilling Fleet

A major offshore drilling contractor faced growing challenges in managing secure remote access to critical operational technology systems across its global drilling fleet. Existing access methods relied heavily on physical connections and VPNs, which created inefficiencies, limited visibility, and introduced cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The shift to modern satellite connectivity (Starlink) introduced dynamic IP environments that rendered their traditional access solutions ineffective. The company required a modern platform capable of delivering secure, flexible, and scalable remote access without the need for static configurations or manual intervention.

Ultimately, their goal was to find a solution that would help them reduce downtime, strengthen their cyber defenses, and speed up incident response across their global fleet. Dispel was selected as the remote access solution to meet these needs. Its rule-based access model and cloud-native infrastructure offered a secure and efficient alternative to legacy systems.

Deploying this secure remote access solution across the fleet required a highly coordinated program management approach. MRE led the implementation, overseeing execution across multiple rigs, each with its own vendors, schedules, technical requirements, and operational considerations. A centralized framework was established to manage all rig deployments as individual projects within a unified program.

• Delivered structured oversight across 15 rigs, each with unique project schedules and constraints
• Coordinated collaboration between security, IT operations, network teams, and Dispel support
• Developed a standardized vendor onboarding model, scaled across more than 10 vendor organizations
• Maintained progress tracking across overall timelines and rig-specific milestones
• Supported financial planning at both centralized and rig levels
• Proactively managed risks, dependencies, and communications across multiple concurrent deployments

MRE addressed the complexity of working across time zones, rotating crews, and diverse rig environments by aligning stakeholders and standardizing delivery. Program and project management tools were used to streamline task execution, enabling accurate tracking, timely escalation, and aligned delivery across the fleet.

Each rig deployment was treated as a standalone effort within the broader program, allowing MRE to tailor execution while maintaining control over scope and timelines. Financial oversight also ensured that vendor costs, which varied by site, were tracked and reconciled consistently to stay within budget.

Through this structured approach, MRE ensured seamless execution and minimized disruptions during implementation.

Overall, MRE’s program management has been key in ensuring smooth execution, despite the complex logistics of managing diverse teams, configurations, and schedules.