PPrune Fan has given a very balanced reply.
Operators do have weather limits in the GOM and these are constantly being reviewed for their applicability by both customers and helicopter operators.
The average experience for pilts in accidents is around 5000 hours, industry wide according to HSAC (Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee) Most accidents occur around mid day also according to HSAC so fatigue shouldn't be a big problem.
GOM pilots work equal time (7 and 7 or 14 and 14), I bet many NS pilots wish they did that. The pay could be better but has improved over the last 3 years.
Most operators do not fly SE aircraft over 50 miles offshore unless they are under greater operational control (wind, sea state, weather, SAR etc)
Helicopter operators in the GOM do not make obscene profits, that's why many of them fly older aircraft. It is highly competitive and all the operators would love to have new equipment. You will see S-92s (PHI) and C+s (PHI AirLog) as well as new EC135s (soon) EC120s etc.
PHI and AirLog require instrument ratings for new pilots. PHI and AirLog use simulators and FTDs to a larger extent than the North Sea operators, every time a pilot goes for refresher training.
Many aircraft ARE equipped with satellite reporting systems, PHI will be doing its whole fleet eventually.
There are SOME problems in the GOM. Lack of regulation of the heleideck envirionment by the FAA (unlike the North Sea) is a MAJOR problem with obstacles etc. Poor weather reporting and a lack of automated stations in another problem.
So, Mr 609, as PPrune fan says, you have little knowledge of the GOM. A thought provoking post though.