Bristow to make Barents Sea flights for Equinor and Eni

Eni Norge, a Norwegian unit of the Italian oil company Eni, has informed that as of September 1 a new contract between Eni Norge, Equinor, and Bristow Norway for helicopter services in the Barents Sea takes effect. 

Eni-operated Goliat field in the Barents Sea © Eni Norge

The contract is for five years with one-year options for up to three years extension, Eni Norge said on Friday.

The contract includes, among other things, services related to crew changes and SAR (Search and Rescue) for both companies from their Hammerfest base. It is the latest in a line of contracts that Eni Norway and Equinor awards suppliers in the North.

Bristow said in a separate statement on Thursday it will use an existing Sikorsky S-92 in oil and gas configuration to provide crew change services for offshore platforms, and an existing all-weather (AWSAR) SAR S-92 for the search and rescue work.

According to Eni, the two helicopters included in the contract are equipped with upgraded security systems, such as a flat-mounted camera and improved data transfer in the air, as well as latest technology in the field of warning and navigation systems.

In addition, the SAR helicopter, which is new in Norway, will be equipped with Night Vision Goggles (NVG) technology, which is being used for the first time for the oil and gas industry on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Bristow Area Manager Norway, Heidi Wulff Heimark, said: “The Barents Sea is clearly a priority area; the contract involves transport to and from the Goliat field and several future exploration operations for both Equinor and Eni Norway.”

Equinor is Eni Norge’s partner in the Goliat field with a 35% ownership interests. The helicopters will provide services to the Equinor-operated Johan Castberg field when activity begins in the sea. Eni Norge is a partner on Johan Castberg with a 30% ownership interest.