Seems the rumour wasn't far off according to the following:
Aberdeen, Scotland: Bond Offshore Helicopters has been awarded a long-term contract by BP Exploration for two new Super Pumas to provide search-and-rescue (SAR) services in support of operations by the oil major in the Central and Northern North Sea and West of the Shetland Islands.
Under the 10-year contract, valued at approximately 100 million, Bond will provide two dedicated, state-of-the-art Super Puma AS332L Mark II helicopters, air and ground crews and full back-up for round-the-clock SAR, 365 days a year.
The aircraft have been ordered from Eurocopter for delivery in the second half of 2005 when they will go into service in December with onsite immediate response crews and engineers. One aircraft will be based on a production platform in the Central North Sea and the other on Shetland. They will operate in conjunction with advanced Regional Support Ships provided by one of BPs marine contractors
The twin-engine Mark II Super Pumas provide improved safety and performance, with a four-axis auto-hover system which significantly enhances the aircrafts ability to operate in severe weather conditions and at night; a dual hoist system, and state-of-the-art avionics and SAR equipment, making the Super Puma one of the most advanced SAR aircraft in the world.
Around 40 personnel - pilots, rescue crew and engineers - are being recruited by Bond for the contract. The company has already secured a number of them and they will be employed meantime on other services.
Bond began operating services to the offshore industry in the North Sea in the early 1970s, becoming a leader in its field in the UK and internationally. The company and its staff have extensive experience of providing SAR services to the offshore industry, military and government bodies in Europe and Australia.
Geoff Williams, Bond Offshore Helicopters Managing Director, said: The contract takes helicopter operations in the offshore industry into a new dimension, with search-and-rescue being significantly enhanced through these dedicated aircraft and crews in their specialist role.
The scope and scale of the contract is also a major step forward in the development of our services to the industry and in the creation of further long-term employment.
The SAR helicopters will bring to seven the Super Pumas in Bonds fleet.