North Sea Operations
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North Sea Operations
Just looking at some history and background on the three main North Sea operators, but I have been finding it difficult put my finger on a few facts, and I wondered if someone could point me in the right direction.
1. How many companies have actually serviced the UKCS platforms over the last 40 years?
CHC Scotia
Bristow/Bristow Helicopters
Bond
Bond Offshore
British International
British Airways Helicopters
2. CHC came to the market when it took over British International Helicopters and Bond Helicopters, but when did the purchase of these two companies take place and in what circumstances?
3. And finally can someone tell me about the 'flare tip change' role, I have seen that some of the operators provide this service but I can't see what it involves, it sounds hazardous, but is it?
Thanks in advance.
1. How many companies have actually serviced the UKCS platforms over the last 40 years?
CHC Scotia
Bristow/Bristow Helicopters
Bond
Bond Offshore
British International
British Airways Helicopters
2. CHC came to the market when it took over British International Helicopters and Bond Helicopters, but when did the purchase of these two companies take place and in what circumstances?
3. And finally can someone tell me about the 'flare tip change' role, I have seen that some of the operators provide this service but I can't see what it involves, it sounds hazardous, but is it?
Thanks in advance.
1. How many companies have actually serviced the UKCS platforms over the last 40 years?
CHC Scotia
Bristow/Bristow Helicopters
Bond
Bond Offshore
British International
British Airways Helicopters
CHC Scotia
Bristow/Bristow Helicopters
Bond
Bond Offshore
British International
British Airways Helicopters
British Caledonian Helicopters
British Executive Air Services (BEAS)
Veritair trading as British International
2. CHC came to the market when it took over British International Helicopters and Bond Helicopters, but when did the purchase of these two companies take place and in what circumstances?
Not sure of years at this moment.
3. And finally can someone tell me about the 'flare tip change' role, I have seen that some of the operators provide this service but I can't see what it involves, it sounds hazardous, but is it?
The main challenge is the lack of suitable references when hovering 600 ft above the sea, but is not insurmountable for those with appropriate experience. CHC have a well known long line expert who tends to do their jobs, there is also a Norwegian outfit who do a lot of the jobs. Not sure what BHL do these days.
Short answers, and I'm sure many will add much more !
Following up from 212man,
The Norwegian company for Flare Tips is Airlift based in Forde. Although primarily an 'onshore' operator with SAR contracts, they have got Flare Tip down to a 'T' using AS332C LN-OBX (s/n 2001), which can be seen by searching Airliners.net etc. One of the oldest 332s but the least numbers of hours, I believe it spent most of its life at Marignan, but I might be wrong.
Contact Airlift +47 577 18 100 and perhaps the Chief Pilot (Leif Hus) might email you a tip change .ppt presentation if you explain the reason for the enquiry.
pp
The Norwegian company for Flare Tips is Airlift based in Forde. Although primarily an 'onshore' operator with SAR contracts, they have got Flare Tip down to a 'T' using AS332C LN-OBX (s/n 2001), which can be seen by searching Airliners.net etc. One of the oldest 332s but the least numbers of hours, I believe it spent most of its life at Marignan, but I might be wrong.
Contact Airlift +47 577 18 100 and perhaps the Chief Pilot (Leif Hus) might email you a tip change .ppt presentation if you explain the reason for the enquiry.
pp
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CHC
Look at the following page for details of CHC purchase of British International and Helicopter Service which owned the company I worked for
Bond Helicopters.
http://www.chc.ca/about_chc_history.php
Bond Helicopters.http://www.chc.ca/about_chc_history.php
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KLM ERA (UK) Ltd operated S76B`s and S61`s out of Norwich for about four years during the mid nineties. This was mainly for the Shell Southern North Sea contract but included some other ad-hoc work as well. The Uk operation was wound up after losing the contract to Bristow, and the aircraft returned to Holland. The KLM helicopter operation was sold to Schreiner in Holland by the airline, and was subsequently bought and became part of the CHC group.
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HSG
Helikopter Service first merged with Bond in June 1994 and bought 49% shares of the Holding company with options to buy the remaining shares in the next 3 years
In 1997 Helikopter Service had bought the remaing shares in Bond Holding( Management Aviation, North Scottish, Bond Air Services, Bond Helicopters, Lloyd Helicopters, Heli-Portugal)
In 1998 Helikopter Service purchased Court and emerged the Helicopter Services Group, (Helikopter Service, Bond Helicopters, lloyds, Court)
In 1999 CHC bought the whole Helicopter Sevice Group and bought the full 100% shares.
In 1997 Helikopter Service had bought the remaing shares in Bond Holding( Management Aviation, North Scottish, Bond Air Services, Bond Helicopters, Lloyd Helicopters, Heli-Portugal)
In 1998 Helikopter Service purchased Court and emerged the Helicopter Services Group, (Helikopter Service, Bond Helicopters, lloyds, Court)
In 1999 CHC bought the whole Helicopter Sevice Group and bought the full 100% shares.
Combine Operations
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Speechless Two,
In a word - dunno. I've never heard that one before, but I was led to believe that "Management" was in the context of farm management. If that is the case, then your story is probably not correct.
Except for the drinking bit, that is.
In a word - dunno. I've never heard that one before, but I was led to believe that "Management" was in the context of farm management. If that is the case, then your story is probably not correct.
Except for the drinking bit, that is.
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Flare Tip Changes
212,
Actually I think Bristow did the flare tip changes much earlier than that. I remember the old inefficient flares meant that they could often be seen from more than 40 miles, especially at night and in the late 1970s legislation was introduced to stop excess gas being flared off which led to the introduction of the more efficient burners we have today with only very small flames. I think the initial job may have been done by John Whale (though stand to be corrected) in an S61 and because of the problem of external visual reference a Bo105 was also employed to assist in providing a reference itself and passing a commentary on the radio. There should be someone who remembers better than I (because I was either in Iran or BCalH with Speechless 2 at the time
)
Actually I think Bristow did the flare tip changes much earlier than that. I remember the old inefficient flares meant that they could often be seen from more than 40 miles, especially at night and in the late 1970s legislation was introduced to stop excess gas being flared off which led to the introduction of the more efficient burners we have today with only very small flames. I think the initial job may have been done by John Whale (though stand to be corrected) in an S61 and because of the problem of external visual reference a Bo105 was also employed to assist in providing a reference itself and passing a commentary on the radio. There should be someone who remembers better than I (because I was either in Iran or BCalH with Speechless 2 at the time
)
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Flare tip changeout
We just used the Norweigen outfit last year to change out two of our flare tips as underslung loads in the Northern North Sea (British Sector), very proffessional company and suprisingly quick. From what I remember the weather was right on the limit and yes it is a CHC 332 that was used.... Im sure I have some pictures of job being done!!!! somewhere
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Batboy
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Flare Tip replacement
We did several flare tip replacements in Qatar using 212/412 in the late 90's.
We charged US$50,000 a pop for about 5 hours flying (old one off - new one on) which was great value for the Oilies whose only other option was to rent a crane barge from Abu Dhabs or Dubai for 2 weeks at US$75,000 plus PER DAY.
The tips weighed in the region of 1400 Kg
In order to make life simpler during positioning the replacement, we rigged the replacement tip inside a scaffold rig with a hand operated hoist at the top and castors at the botton so all we had to do was position the scaffold rig with tip reasonably adjacent to the final position on the flare platform then land on the main platform helideck for a coffee whilst the tip was re-attached returning 30 minutes or so later to remove the scaffold.
I was going to attach a photo but being only a Probationary PPRUNER didn't realise till now that phots had to be on a website to be linked!
We charged US$50,000 a pop for about 5 hours flying (old one off - new one on) which was great value for the Oilies whose only other option was to rent a crane barge from Abu Dhabs or Dubai for 2 weeks at US$75,000 plus PER DAY.
The tips weighed in the region of 1400 Kg
In order to make life simpler during positioning the replacement, we rigged the replacement tip inside a scaffold rig with a hand operated hoist at the top and castors at the botton so all we had to do was position the scaffold rig with tip reasonably adjacent to the final position on the flare platform then land on the main platform helideck for a coffee whilst the tip was re-attached returning 30 minutes or so later to remove the scaffold.
I was going to attach a photo but being only a Probationary PPRUNER didn't realise till now that phots had to be on a website to be linked!
Last edited by Troglodita; 24th Apr 2008 at 08:26. Reason: typo
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and what about...
One other query I am having difficulity trawling, is about the level air traffic control for the helicopters working the UKCS.
Presumably after a certain distance from say, Aberdeen, radar coverage is no longer possible, so how is coverage achieved if at all. I have found references to NATS investing in a Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system, to be introduced later this year. I would be grateful for a layman's explanation which will allow me to ask some more questions.
Thanks again in advance and for all the answers so far...
Presumably after a certain distance from say, Aberdeen, radar coverage is no longer possible, so how is coverage achieved if at all. I have found references to NATS investing in a Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system, to be introduced later this year. I would be grateful for a layman's explanation which will allow me to ask some more questions.
Thanks again in advance and for all the answers so far...
Yes, Tony, after a certain distance the radar coverage runs out. However, many of us are wary of giving aid and comfort to "Uncontrolled Helicopters Dice with Death in North Sea" headline writers. Your profile doesn't say you are a journo - but your question sounds that way. To get an answer, please provide reassurance.
