I don't understand how DD could have made such a statement when the majority of the Bristow contracts were IFR. Do you really imagine Bristow would spend so much money on IFR training both in the aircraft and simulator if they had no requirement to? They're not known for spending money unless they have to!
It was well known that when weather conditions deteriorated at NAF Base only SVFR flights were permitted (though Exxon/Mobil did not permit flights under special VFR so it was often the case that in DNPO official weather required SVFR departures, aircraft flying for e.g., Total and Addax would depart whilst aircraft flying for Exxon were grounded).
The FNPT was expensive (over $300,000) and whilst it was used for training for Command upgrades was also used for instrument flying practice for crews before attending simulator training so that expensive full flight simulator time was not wasted on basic IF.