Norwegian oil & gas duo hands out multimillion-dollar helicopter gig to Bristow

February 2, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Offshore aviation services provider Bristow Group has landed a multi-year assignment with Norway’s state-owned energy giant Equinor and its compatriot Vår Energi for helicopter transportation and search and rescue (SAR) services in support of operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Bristow has been awarded a new long-term contract for two S-92 passenger transport helicopters and one S-92 search and rescue (SAR) helicopter based in Hammerfest; Source: Bristow Norway

The total estimated value of Bristow’s entire contract with Equinor and Vår Energi for helicopter transportation and emergency preparedness in the Barents Sea, including options, is about NOK 1.9 billion (around $196.46 million). The three-year deal takes effect on September 1, 2026, and comes with two one-year extension options.

This helicopter transportation and search and rescue services assignment from the base in Hammerfest is perceived to ensure stable and predictable services at a time of increased activity in the Barents Sea. The firm currently operates two transportation helicopters and one SAR helicopter serving the northern operations for both Equinor and Vår Energi.

The new contract will enable the aviation services provider to continue these services in the years to come and contribute to stable operations and high safety on the NCS in the north. The helicopters serve the Johan Castberg field for Equinor, which came on stream in March 2025, and the Goliat field for Vår Energi. The activity at the fields is high, with around 90 helicopter flights and about 3,400 passengers each month.

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Mette Ottøy, Equinor’s Senior Vice President for Joint Operations Support, commented: “The safety of everyone travelling to and from offshore installations is our number one priority. Since the start-up of Johan Castberg, the long-term need for services in the Barents Sea has increased, and stable helicopter capacity is crucial for safe and efficient operations.

“Good search and rescue services are also an important part of emergency preparedness, both for offshore employees and for everyone travelling in this ocean area.”

Equinor elaborates that the SAR helicopter is part of the extended area preparedness in the Barents Sea and contributes to increased safety for everyone travelling in the ocean areas, both in petroleum activities, fisheries and other maritime activities.

The contract is deemed to contribute to safe transportation to offshore installations and help further strengthen the overall emergency preparedness in the north. The firm underlines that around 320,000 passengers are transported to and from its NCS installations annually, corresponding to more than 24,000 flight hours a year.

Equinor’s helicopter traffic shows 11,465 passenger flights were carried out in 2025 from Stavanger, Bergen, Florø, Kristiansund, Brønnøysund and Hammerfest. The firm has three helicopter operators on the NCS duty: Bristow Norway, CHC Helicopter Service, and Lufttransport RW.

“We look forward to continuing the collaboration with Bristow in Hammerfest. The contract underlines the importance of long-term cooperation on the NCS and contributes to value creation and spin-offs from petroleum activities in the norther areas,” concluded Ottøy.