The news about Shell and the future of new hi-tech well equipped IFR twins is good news. There exists a safety culture in the GOM, there is no denying that and there are excellent people working to make it better. However, the old attitudes are going to die hard. Compound that with the problems you list and that have been discussed before and we can see that it will not be an easy transition. Cost will certainly be a factor.
In order for the GOM to mature into a highly efficient place to operate these new machines, pressure by the operators, oil companies, and those that ride in the machines , has to be focused upon the government to ensure the IFR infrastructure is provided to ensure safe operations. There is no reason remote radars could not be located throughout the Gulf to facilitate ATC control of the IFR flights, remote comms could be installed as well to facilitate obtaining IFR clearances and controlling air traffic.
Weather reporting continues to be a problem, but then ASOS type automated weather reporting equipment ought to be available as well.
SAR coverage in the form of privately operated dedicated aircraft ought to be initiated. If the Coast Guard cannot provide the service with Government owned aircraft and crews, then they should contract that service out just like the British government does.
All this costs money but it will improve effiecieny and promote a much safer place for the oil companies to operate.
The technology is out there....all we have to do is find a way to pay for it. A thing that plagues the helicopter industry whenever we try to improve the situation.