CHC Helicopters Support Centrica’s Offshore Activities (UK)

Centrica Energy and Centrica Storage Limited have signed a £29million three-year contract, with options for a two year extension, with CHC Helicopter to secure an improved helicopter service to meet its operational needs across key oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

In the Southern North Sea, CHC will operate an AW139 aircraft out of Humberside Airport from November 2013, to support Centrica’s offshore activities, including the York and Rough platforms, as the operator relocates all flight operations from Yarmouth.

In the Northern and Central North Sea, Centrica Energy has secured the use of aircraft out of Aberdeen, from June 2013, on a part-exclusive basis to improve scheduling and flexibility of flights to its operated Kittiwake platform.

A joint team has been established by the operator and CHC, the world’s largest offshore helicopter operator, to set up both services – increasing the number of flights, improving the overall efficiency of the service and securing dedicated flights to each of the installations.

Jim Craig, Operations Director UK and the Netherlands, Centrica Energy, said: “We are pleased to announce this new service with CHC, which will improve helicopter provision across our operations in the Northern, Central and Southern North Sea.”

Roddy McKinnon, Operations Business Support Manager, Centrica Storage Limited, said: “This is a deal which strengthens Centrica Storage’s very successful partnership with CHC, which has meant we’ve been able to run our Rough asset efficiently, carrying our people and equipment safely offshore, helping provide vital gas to the UK when it is most needed, in the winter.”

The move will see CHC invest more resources in Humberside whilst maintaining its current base in North Denes where demand for its services remains high. CHC, which recently invested £300,000 in its North Denes operation, will continue to service its other energy sector customers from the base.

Mark Abbey, CHC’s regional director for West North Sea, said: “Centrica Energy is one of the largest producers of gas on the UK Continental Shelf and has an ambitious strategy to grow its business in our region and internationally. We have provided services for Centrica Energy for many years and we are extremely proud to have been chosen to support their operations going forward.

“The award of this contract demonstrates our flexibility in helping our customers go further and do more in the North Sea. The energy sector remains strong with both Humberside and North Denes a key part of our readiness to respond to our customers’ increasing needs for helicopter services in 2013 and beyond.”