Old Man Rotor
9-10 pax in a 214ST with full regular and Aux fuel is about right. Also, for a 332L1. FYI, aux fuel in the 332L1 can be held in the sponsons (I think Bristow uses them) which does not require an internal fuel tank/passenger seat configuration. In both, it is an MTOW limitation, not seat availability.
SASless
I think that while there are lots of 206s in the GOM, the whole mentality is not 206 driven any more. You will see larger types coming into service there (ERA has ordered the S92) in the near future.
BA609
I used to think that the 609 would be the end for the large transport helicopters. However, offshore ranges just are not much further than 2-300 miles from land or nearest alternate which means that the advantage of the speed is not really significant enough for most sectors to justify what will be the costs.
With the major manufacturers concentrating so hard on DMCs (Sikorsky led the way here with the stated $800 goal for the S92 but EC are trying the same with the EC225) I see the transport helicopter being the most competetive way to transport passengers over multiple ranges. The 609 will really lose out in terms of economic flexibility over shorter ranges, the versatility of helicopters will continue to beat it.
LE