Bristow Norway has commenced helicopter operations on three five-year contracts out of Floro, Norway, supporting Statoil ASA, Engie E&P and A/S Norske Shell (previously BG Norge). The operator also started a five-year contract from its well-established base in Bergen, Norway, supporting Statoil. The award of these contracts was announced in February 2016.

Services at both locations are flown using Sikorsky S-92 aircraft, equipped with upgraded security systems such as tail-mounted cameras and improved airborne data connectivity, in addition to the latest alert and navigation systems. The helicopters also have new technology to support enhanced landing procedures to help reduce noise over congested areas.

With the new contract in Bergen, Bristow Norway is now providing flights between Bergen and all of Statoil's installations in the area. Bergen is an important centre for the offshore petroleum industry, with a high level of activity.

Floro, a new location for Bristow Norway operations, is the most western town on the mainland in the Nordic countries. The Engie contract covers helicopter transportation to the Gjoa Semi oilfield, while the A/S Norske Shell flights will fly to the Knarr FPSO in the North Sea.

Area manager Heidi Wulff Heimark says: “We are proud of our new base at Floro and look forward to developing a good relationship with the local community. The investment there is strategically important as it strengthens our position to operate further north towards central Norway. These new contracts further secure our position in Norway.”

Meanwhile the south-west coast of Scotland will see a new coastguard search and rescue helicopter in the skies when Bristow's Leonardo AW189 enters service in July of this year from Prestwick airport. It is the first of two of the type that Bristow will fly in the area for SAR.

“It is a huge privilege for my crews and I to introduce the new AW189 aircraft into search and rescue operations,” says chief pilot Craig Sweeney. “The aircraft is state-of-the-art and has the agility and flexibility to respond to the wide spectrum of SAR taskings within our operating area. As always, we will make every effort to minimise noise disturbance from our helicopters for the local community.”