Dakarman,
This brings back memories from yesteryears. I was thinking al most the same years ago when Bristow flew for Shell/NAM for Den Helder Netherlands. Bristow canceled flights before other operators.
I was at that time not so much enlightened about helicopter flying as I am now thanks to Pprune Rotorheads!
Triggered lightning is a real threat and Bristow has experience with it!
There is a good Air crash investigation documentary about it which you might want to look at while you are locked-up on board tonight:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x57hst1
I have experienced a triggered lightning strike as passenger on board a fixed wing during Final approach to Schiphol AMS. And i can tell you, although only the wing tip was touched, the bang scared me enough in order not to question any decision on cancelling a flight for this threat.
It might be that some operators are more carefull about it as others (Bristow?), but I also heared the the threat can be quite local and other operators might be able to fly around it on their way to other platforms.
Perhaps our fellow Pprune offshore pilots can give enlighting on that?
Cheers SLB