No Signal, No Problem: How Satellite IoT Is Closing the Connectivity Gap Across Oil & Gas Operations
August 12, 2026
3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM GMT
Duration: 1 hour
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Summary
From remote drilling sites and offshore platforms to pipeline corridors and inland waterways, oil and gas operations share a common challenge: critical assets routinely operate beyond the reach of traditional coverage, so when connectivity fails, visibility fails. In an industry where supply chain gaps can idle refineries, spike demurrage costs, and trigger compliance exposure, the price of a dead zone is measured in real dollars.
In this webinar, Oil & Gas Journal brings together Globalstar and OpenTug to explore how satellite IoT technology is becoming the connective tissue for asset tracking and operational visibility across the energy sector. Through OpenTug's BargeOS platform as a real-world case study, where Globalstar's SmartOne Solar devices now monitor more than 800 barge assets across oil and gas logistics networks, you'll see what satellite-enabled visibility looks like in practice and how the same infrastructure can be applied to your own operations.
What you’ll learn:
- Why traditional infrastructure falls short with real-world use cases across upstream, midstream, and downstream environments show that from offshore platforms and remote wellheads to pipeline corridors and inland waterways, cellular coverage ends long before the work does, leaving operators exposed to demurrage, supply chain delays, and compliance gaps
- From hardware to compliance: how satellite IoT works in the field with Globalstar's low-maintenance, intrinsically safe devices meet the safety standards required in hazardous zones while delivering uninterrupted visibility across remote and unattended assets at scale
- Operational ROI meets next-generation innovation from reduced demurrage and audit-ready records to AI-driven analytics, incident detection, and automated workflows across upstream, midstream, and downstream fleets
Speakers
Mike Baldwin
Chief Operating Officer
OpenTug
Mike Baldwin is Co-Founder and COO of OpenTug, where he leads the development of BargeOS, an AI-powered cloud-based platform bringing data, visibility, and predictability to the inland barge industry. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration, Mike began his career at Amazon Web Services (AWS) before co-founding OpenTug. With over a decade of experience in technology and analytics, he combines deep technical expertise with hands-on operational leadership to drive product direction and deliver real value for customers. Mike was named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 Transportation & Mobility list and Supply and Demand Chain Executive's 2026 Pros to Know for his work advancing digital transformation in marine logistics.
Martin Jefferson
Global Solutions Architect
Globalstar
Martin Jefferson currently serves as the Global Solutions Architect for Globalstar. With over 30 years of experience as an experienced senior technical sales executive, Jefferson helps drive the satellite IoT business for the brand and acts as key liaison for Globalstar’s Value Added Manufacturers and Resellers.
Mitch Melton
Sales Director
OpenTug
Mitch Melton is the Director of Sales at OpenTug, where he focuses on driving growth and strategic partnerships across the energy and marine logistics sectors. He brings a shipper-side perspective to the industry, having previously led supply chain and commercial operations roles at ExxonMobil, including managing inland barge logistics and large-scale planning initiatives.
Before transitioning into the private sector, Mitch served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed a strong foundation in leadership, execution, and operational discipline.
At OpenTug, Mitch works closely with shippers—particularly in liquid bulk—to help modernize how marine transportation is planned, coordinated, and executed. His experience across both energy and logistics informs his approach to improving visibility, efficiency, and collaboration across inland and coastal waterways.
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