North Sea problems - good or bad?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 426
Likes: 5
From: Australia
North Sea problems - good or bad?
Flight International's David Learmount recently wrote:
Helicopter support under pressure in North Sea
The UK Offshore Operators Association (OOA) is warning that high oil prices have led to surging demand for North Sea oil support helicopter operations which is putting a strain on resources.
Aberdeen, Scotland-based operator Bristow Helicopters says: “We have already had to turn down business because we did not have the assets available.” The company says oil companies need to “include helicopter provision earlier in their forward planning”.
Demand for services has increased as sustained high oil prices make formerly marginal fields or new exploration profitable. Major operator CHC Scotia confirms the lack of resources, but says the company has not been totally taken by surprise and was already increasing its capacity.
“There is a huge global demand for helicopters, driven by the high oil prices and increase in oil and gas activity,” says CHC. “However, whilst the market is tight, CHC Scotia has a long-term investment programme in new aircraft and a close working relationship with its customers to ensure that we anticipate and satisfy requirements.”
Bristow commercial manager Mike Duncan says it takes two years between placing an aircraft order and delivery, and crew training takes even longer. The company has 10 aircraft on order plus 13 options, but the problem is meeting demand today.
Steve Harris of the OAA says operators are doing everything they can to meet demand and the organisation has signed up 17 oil companies and suppliers to a flight-sharing scheme to ensure the best use of resources. Duncan says Bristow is trying to get more flying out of its existing fleet, but “there is only so much we can do”. He adds: “We have every reason to believe this level of demand will continue and, if it does, the situation will get worse later this year and well into 2007.”
Bristow European operations director Willie Toner says closer liaison between oil companies and helicopter operators is the key to preventing this situation re-occurring. After North Sea oil production peaked in the 1980s, demand for helicopter support flights halved and operators downsized or redeployed their resources.
End:
Do you think this will push the development of tilt-rotor machines, which appear to have more range and speed; thus being more productive - if not more expensive?
Any ideas?
Helicopter support under pressure in North Sea
The UK Offshore Operators Association (OOA) is warning that high oil prices have led to surging demand for North Sea oil support helicopter operations which is putting a strain on resources.
Aberdeen, Scotland-based operator Bristow Helicopters says: “We have already had to turn down business because we did not have the assets available.” The company says oil companies need to “include helicopter provision earlier in their forward planning”.
Demand for services has increased as sustained high oil prices make formerly marginal fields or new exploration profitable. Major operator CHC Scotia confirms the lack of resources, but says the company has not been totally taken by surprise and was already increasing its capacity.
“There is a huge global demand for helicopters, driven by the high oil prices and increase in oil and gas activity,” says CHC. “However, whilst the market is tight, CHC Scotia has a long-term investment programme in new aircraft and a close working relationship with its customers to ensure that we anticipate and satisfy requirements.”
Bristow commercial manager Mike Duncan says it takes two years between placing an aircraft order and delivery, and crew training takes even longer. The company has 10 aircraft on order plus 13 options, but the problem is meeting demand today.
Steve Harris of the OAA says operators are doing everything they can to meet demand and the organisation has signed up 17 oil companies and suppliers to a flight-sharing scheme to ensure the best use of resources. Duncan says Bristow is trying to get more flying out of its existing fleet, but “there is only so much we can do”. He adds: “We have every reason to believe this level of demand will continue and, if it does, the situation will get worse later this year and well into 2007.”
Bristow European operations director Willie Toner says closer liaison between oil companies and helicopter operators is the key to preventing this situation re-occurring. After North Sea oil production peaked in the 1980s, demand for helicopter support flights halved and operators downsized or redeployed their resources.
End:
Do you think this will push the development of tilt-rotor machines, which appear to have more range and speed; thus being more productive - if not more expensive?
Any ideas?
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
From: Up north
Robsrich
In short no.
The present helicopters in the N Sea carry 19 pax. A tilt rotor that size may probably have a "d" value (based on overall disc and a/c size) above what most helidecks would be capable of accepting.
The risk assessment on what would happen should the mechanical process that allows transition from forward to hover flight fail would also scare the oil companies off.
The unanswered questions on asymmetric lift during approach which has seen a tilt rotor crash would also make the regulators and oil companies think twice before allowing civil passenger flying.
HF
In short no.
The present helicopters in the N Sea carry 19 pax. A tilt rotor that size may probably have a "d" value (based on overall disc and a/c size) above what most helidecks would be capable of accepting.
The risk assessment on what would happen should the mechanical process that allows transition from forward to hover flight fail would also scare the oil companies off.
The unanswered questions on asymmetric lift during approach which has seen a tilt rotor crash would also make the regulators and oil companies think twice before allowing civil passenger flying.
HF
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
Forward Planning
Funny how CHC Scotia were able to plan ahead and not get completely caught out, when Bristow seem to have been blindsided!
As usual, Bristow were slow to react and with their inferior terms and conditions, it is little wonder they are finding it hard to recruit new pilots.
And since when has it taken 'even longer' than two years for crew training?
bondu
As usual, Bristow were slow to react and with their inferior terms and conditions, it is little wonder they are finding it hard to recruit new pilots.
And since when has it taken 'even longer' than two years for crew training?
bondu
