Belgium's NHV, which operates ten helicopters, sees a "golden opportunity" to expand into the oil and gas market. "2007 will be a year to remember for us," says Eric Van Hal, ceo. "It is our tenth anniversary year and we have received Eurocopter maintenance approval for the Dauphin (AS365N, N2 and N3), the EC120 and the entire Ecureuil family up to major inspection." The agreement, negotiated over two years, identifies NHV as the preferential maintenance centre for helicopters registered in Belgium and Luxembourg.

NHV has also added two more Dauphins to its fleet giving it a total of six. "The Dauphin is an impressive and versatile helicopter that can be used for medevac or oil and gas service," says Van Hal. But NHV, which also operates an EC145, two Explorers and a Colibri, is looking at further fleet additions.

"We are investigating what kind of helicopter we should add to our fleet to exactly meet the requirements of oil and gas clients," says Van Hal. NHV plans to expand its services to companies based in the U.K., Norway and Denmark.