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North Sea News
North Sea helicopter operator buys in Super Puma replacements
http://www.statoil.com/no/NewsAndMed...92_468_195.jpg By FRANK URQUHART Published on Wednesday 21 November 2012 ONE of the North Sea’s three main helicopter companies has placed an order for ten new aircraft to help ease the crew change crisis caused by the grounding of the Super Puma EC225 fleet. Bristow Helicopters is taking deliver of ten Sikorsky S92 helicopters with options for another 16 of the aircraft to supplement its operations across the globe. All 16 EC225s operating in the North Sea - one-fifth of the entire fleet - are expected to remain out of service until at least February. They have been grounded since 22 October when a CHC-operated Super Puma EC225 was forced to ditch off Shetland. Another Super Puma EC225 ditched 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen in May. Bristow alone operates eleven EC225s in the UK, Both ditchings have led to the discovery of “potentially catastrophic” mechanical failures in the gearbox - identical cracks near a weld in the main vertical gear shaft. In both cases, tests have shown identical problems which resulted in a false alarm being issued over a lubrication system failure. A spokeswoman for Bristow said: “Bristow Helicopters is working hard to minimise, and ultimately eliminate, disruption for our clients and their passengers following the recent suspension from operation of some of the Eurocopter Super Pumas. In cooperation with our clients we have re-allocated and re-deployed the use of additional helicopters from our global fleet to support our operations in the North Sea. “Additionally, and in response to the current situation, as well as the forecasted increasing global demand for large helicopters, we have secured available S92s from Sikorsky. We have ordered ten additional new Sikorsky S92 large aircraft for delivery in 2013 and 2014 together with options for 16 more for delivery between 2014 and 2017. “Bristow is in on-going discussions with our clients on safely serving their current and future needs by ensuring the availability of helicopters.” The order with Sikorsky is understood to be valued in the region of £170 million. According to Bristow, the safety alert issued following the Super Puma ditching is affecting eleven of the company’s EC225 helicopters in the UK, three EC225 helicopters in Australia, one EC225 helicopter in Norway and one AS332L2 helicopter in Nigeria. The company said in a business statement: “An incident involving another operator and an EC225 helicopter in May 2012 that resulted in a similar directive did not have a material financial impact on our company. However, we are unable to determine whether this incident on 22 October and the resulting actions taken by the Civil Aviation Authority could have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations at this time.” North Sea helicopter operator buys in Super Puma replacements - Transport - Scotsman.com |
Two Super Puma’s return to base after safety scares
http://www.upstreamonline.com/incomi...+Puma+Bond.jpg Thursday 22 November 2012 Two Bond-operated Super Puma helicopters were at the centre of separate safety alerts over the North Sea today. One of the helicopters was heading out to the platform where the 2009 Super Puma crash helicopter was headed The helicopters were forced to return to Aberdeen heliport this morning while on flights to a BP installation and a drilling rig. Both Super Pumas are the earlier L2 models of the aircraft which are not affected by the current grounding of the EC225 models which have been involved in two ditchings since May. But one of the flights involved in today’s alerts was en route to BP’s Miller platform. In April 2009, two pilots and 14 oilworkers on a Super Puma AS332L2 were killed when the aircraft, operated by Bond Helicopters, crashed into the North Sea while flying to the Miller platform after suffering a catastrophic gearbox failure. A spokesman for Bond Helicopters said today: “Two flights this morning were returned to base. They went in for immediate inspection. The first flight that came back was checked and nothing wrong was found with it and it is being returned to service. “Both helicopters are L2s - the only version of the Super Pumas that Bond are flying at the moment. One was heading for the Miller platform and the other was heading for the the Borgholm Dolphin drilling rig.” A helicopter industry source said that one of the alerts was sounded after an oilworker on board had reported hearing a “rattling” noise on the helicopter. Said the source: “Because of the recent incidents everybody is so keyed up that the slightest thing they hear they think there is a problem and for obvious safety reasons helicopters have to return to base.” All 16 EC225s operating in the North Sea - one-fifth of the entire fleet - have been grounded since 22 October when a CHC-operated Super Puma EC225 was forced to ditch off Shetland. Another Super Puma EC225 ditched 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen in May. Both ditchings have led to the discovery of “potentially catastrophic” mechanical failures in the gearbox - identical cracks near a weld in the main vertical gear shaft. A report into the fatal crash in 2009, published in November last year by the Air Accident Investigation Board, revealed that the the chopper disintegrated as it plummeted from 2,000ft into the North Sea at 170 knots, when its main rotor gearbox failed, its massive rotor blades ripping from the body of the aircraft and severing the tail. The detailed report by the AAIB pinpointed a series of misunderstandings, mistakes and failures in communication that led to the root cause of the mechanical failure in the gearbox going undetected. Two Super Puma |
North Sea News
Norwegian government approves new North Sea oil fields
http://www.tnp.no/newsimg/statoil_svalin.jpeg Norway's Grane platform which will initially support the work in the new Svalin fields The Norwegian cabinet has given its approval for work to proceed in the new Svalin field. Svalin M was discovered in 2008 and its start-up is scheduled for the end of 2013. Svalin C was discovered in 1992 and its start-up is scheduled for summer 2014. Recoverable reserves are estimated to about 75 million barrels of oil equivalent (12 million standard cubic metres o.e.). There are two structures, Svalin C and Svalin M, containing similar quantities. The Svalin field lies about six kilometres south-west of the Grane platform at a water depth of 125 metres. The Svalin field development is one of Statoil’s fast-track developments. Statoil is operator with %57 ownership; Petoro (%30) and ExxonMobil (%13) are partners. More |
North Sea News
Helicopter fault leaves workers stuck on North Sea rig
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/image...19882_rig1.jpg The Ensco 80 rig which is located 100 miles off the Norfolk coast More than 90 workers have been stranded on a gas rig in the North Sea for two days after a helicopter broke down. The aircraft has been on the Ensco 80 rig, 100 miles off the Norfolk coast, since Monday afternoon. Operator Bond said it developed a technical problem and engineers were awaiting delivery of a part. Rig owner Ensco said there were 94 people on board the rig, four over its capacity, but there were enough lifeboats for 200 people. An Ensco spokesman said the helicopter had been at the rig on a routine crew-change flight when it developed technical problems. "The pilots go through safety checks before they leave and obviously discovered a problem," he said. The helicopter pilots were now on board the rig, he added. "There are 94 people on there. Our maximum persons-on-board is 90 but there are extenuating circumstances. "We hope to resolve the situation as soon as we can." He said there were enough supplies on board and that offshore workers were used to being stuck on rigs, sometimes for days on end, due to poor weather conditions. Bond Offshore Helicopters confirmed the aircraft, an AgustaWestland AW139, had flown to the rig from Norwich Airport and developed a technical problem once it had landed. The company said the rig was 115 miles north-north-east of Norwich. "Engineers were dispatched and are currently examining the aircraft," it said in a statement. "Once the relevant part has been delivered and fitted, the aircraft will be returned to normal service." The rig is operated by Perenco, which has declined to comment. BBC News - Helicopter fault leaves workers stuck on North Sea rig |
G-REDK Mid-Flight Oil Pressure Warning Yesterday
A Bond owned Super Puma helicopter was escorted back to shore after an oil pressure warning light illuminated mid-flight. The aircraft had been returning from the Borgholm Dolphin at around 9.30am on Wednesday 12th December when the incident occurred. Bond and CHC Super Puma helicopters forced to return to shore | Aberdeen & North | News | STV |
12 Dec 2012 - Bond & CHC Super Puma helicopters forced to return to shore.
Bond and CHC Super Puma helicopters forced to return to shore | Aberdeen & North | News | STV
Video on webpage Two North Sea offshore helicopters have been involved in separate incidents which forced them to return to Aberdeen on Wednesday. A Super Puma helicopter was escorted back to shore after an oil pressure warning light illuminated mid-flight. The Bond-owned aircraft had been returning from the Borgholm Dolphin at around 9.30am on Wednesday when the incident occurred. At the time, 16 passengers and two crew were on board the Eurocopter manufactured craft. After the warning light activated the aircraft’s pilot dropped 1000ft as a precaution and was escorted back to Aberdeen by a CHC owned helicopter to be met by emergency ground crew. A spokesman for Bond said: “Bond Offshore Helicopters can confirm that one of its AS332L2 aircraft, registration G-REDK, landed safely at Aberdeen earlier yesterday with all passengers and crew disembarking normally. “In line with standard procedure, emergency services were in attendance at Aberdeen airport as a precautionary measure, following notification that the crew had observed a standby pump warning light whilst en route. Engineers will examine the aircraft fully before it returns to service.” The second incident involved a CHC Scotia helicopter, which was ferrying 15 people, with two crew, to the Elgin field, before the journey was aborted. A spokesman for CHC helicopter said: "An AS332L2 flight made a non-emergency return to base after an indicator light came on in the cockpit. "The aircraft landed safely at Aberdeen Airport just after 3pm and will be inspected by CHC engineers. There were 17 people on board." RMT offshore organiser Jake Molloy said he was unhappy with the lack of transparency within the offshore helicopter industry. He said: “I'm putting this to the Helicopter Safety Steering Group. What this highlights is that the communication process is not working. We should not be hearing this second-hand from concerned parties. “I have heard that another two helicopters have developed technical problems today. Two flights are delayed. “I am unhappy with people boarding these things without knowing what is going on. Our members are just being told that they have 'gone tech'. There should be openness and transparency.” |
North Sea News Don't we usually get the weather after the news? |
My oversight!
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Brilliant, Savoia.
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This might be more appropriate.. do listen - probably suits Brits who know the score.
Thank you SP. |
Lol, excellent!
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Eurocopter to put EC225 through further tests
http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/1.2.../744175539.jpg One of the EC255's which experienced technical difficulties in the North Sea By FRANK URQUHART Published on Wednesday 16 January 2013 12:30 EUROCOPTER which manufactures the North Sea helicopter at the centre of a dramatic offshore ditching in October is planning a further series of tests in a bid to finally identify the cause the incident, it was revealed today. • Further tests planned on Eurocopter helicopters as root of fault still unclear • “Potentially catastrophic” mechanical failure in gearbox had forced Super Puma EC225 model into North Sea ditching • All Super Pumas, used to transport North Sea oil workers, have been grounded The French manufacturer of the Super Puma EC225, has already carried out two series of tests to determine the cause of a “potentially catastrophic” mechanical failure in the gearbox of a Super Puma EC225 which was forced to ditch in the North Sea four months ago. A crack in the main gear shaft was discovered after the chopper carried out a controlled ditching following indications of a failure of the main gearbox lubrication system and emergency lubrication system. Eurocopter revealed in November that the warning of a lubrication system failure on the CHC-operated Super Puma was a false alarm - identical to the scenario in the ditching in May involving a Bond-operated Super Puma. A spokesman for Eurocopter said today that further tests were still needed to positively identify the root cause. He said: “For the past weeks, Eurocopter has continued to regularly communicate with oil and gas customers and operators and industry representatives concerning the EC225 main gearbox shaft failures, while respecting the confidentiality of the official accident investigation. “The company has provided an overview of its approach to the root cause analysis performed during the past several weeks and has reported a most probable root cause. At this stage, this EC assumption has not been proven by tests. “Based on this finding, Eurocopter has announced the launch of a third test campaign, to be initiated in late January, with more sophisticated evaluations that focus on the most probable cause. Bench test results are expected at the end of February. In addition, evaluations will continue on three alternative scenarios for the failures’ cause and all results will be shared with the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch.” He added: “The overall methodology is also supported by an external company, Shainin Engineering, which participated in identifying the Airbus A380 wing crack issues. “All 16 EC225s operating in the North Sea - one-fifth of the entire fleet - have been grounded since 22 October when the CHC-operated Super Puma EC225 was forced to ditch off Shetland. Another Super Puma EC225 ditched 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen in May. More tests planned to identify mystery fault plaguing North Sea helicopters - Transport - Scotsman.com |
Try as they might, EC obviously cannot reproduce the fault. They have "hypotheses" but so far the link between the hypotheses and the failure is not established.
The EM Lub indication issue is rumoured to be fixed but of course activating the EM Lub is not really the answer with this failure mode. Not looking good for a return anytime soon for EC's flagship helicopter, even with extra downloads and earlier propagation warnings. Confidence is waning in EC's ability to fix this. I hope they have already started a parallel path of designing a more robust shaft. |
I looked on the websites of the usual suspects the other day and, although a couple of press reports have appeared about this, I couldn't find any original reports.
Where does Eurocopter announce this information? |
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Interesting that EC are outsourcing some of the investigative work. That must have hurt!
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HC,
When you off for your 92 course? |
OUCH!!!!!!
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Even though I would enjoy the laugh, it ain't going to happen!
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Whats an ESSninety2???
SAS - remember all that sympathy you had for the dear old Chinook when the nasty Shell man wielded his hideous axe....can you spare a bit for us Europhiles please?? |
At least HC can still hear the derision.
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That is one thing the Chinook excelled in doing.....destroying Pilot's hearing!:uhoh:
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"....accelerate until the co-pilot goes out of focus then back it off 5 knots..."
Isn't that what you (or somebody) said, SAS...? :-) |
Nope....that was a Brit from BAH that said that.
Odd...I don't recall the Chinook to be anything but smooth but then we had hundreds of the things and lots of very experienced maintainers working on them. Perhaps our corporate knowledge gave us an advantage. Mind you when the forward swash plate got a bit of wear....usually right up there within just a very few hours before TBO....they could get a bit lumpy with the Thrust Lever (Collective to the unwashed) down near the floor. One felt like saying something along the lines of "Whoopee Ti Ri Yo!" when experiencing that ride. If you got out of synch with the vertical....you did get a butt beating! |
oil
I notice CHC have transferred a 332L2 Puma, (VP-CHC) from the Falklands to Dyce & registered it G-WNSC for North Sea operations. Does this mean they have only one machine left in Falklands, replaced it with another or the contract has changed ?
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changed I believe
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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u...AeS+Logo+2.png
Date: Monday 21st January 2013 Venue: The Aviator Suite, Prestwick Airport Terminal Building Time: 19:30-22:00 Event: Presentation Subject: North Sea Helicopter Operations When filling up the car with fuel, few of us think about all the people and businesses involved in getting it from the sea bed to the pump. Offshore workers, refinery staff and tanker drivers are obvious. But what about helicopter pilots and air traffic controllers? This presentation describes the helicopter flying and Air Traffic Control operations that support the UK North Sea Oil and Gas industry. Fifty litres of unleaded will never seem the same! Royal Aeronautical Society | Event | North Sea Helicopter Operations Scotland set for a blizzard battering as more snow is on the way, forecasters warn http://i1.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming...er+14-1-13.jpg The East of Scotland will be subjected to a relentless stream of snow showers throughout the weekend, according the Met Office. STRONG winds have been pushing snow on to the east coast from the North Sea and forecasters predict this will continue into next week. "Frequent, and occasionally heavy, snow showers", with snowfall is expected to be as deep as two to four inches and as much as six inches on higher ground, the Met Office has forecast. The wind is predicted to continue to intensify poor conditions with the "drifting of lying snow in the strong-to-gale-force south-easterly winds". Scotland set for a blizzard battering as more snow is on the way - Daily Record |
Sikorsky Developing Automated 'Rig Approach' for S92
07 March 2013 Sikorsky is on the verge of achieving FAA certification for an automated rig approach capability for the S-92 medium helicopter. The function is expected to result in a 60% reduction in pilot work load as the aircraft is brought into an automated level and slow approach to an oil rig. Spencer Elani, director of the S-92 programme, said at the Heli-Expo exhibition that the system was expected to complete certification in March or April. ‘We have been working this for a few years. We have actually flown the rig approach two weeks ago with the FAA. So rig approach is basically an automatic flight to the rig. So you put in the coordinates of the approach you would to make to the rig, take-off and push a button and it’s hands off to the rig,’ Elani said. The system includes automatic departure, guaranteed water clearance (levels off at 200 ft) and simplifies the final landing, approaching the rig at 30 knots groundspeed. ‘The crew can focus on their surroundings and don’t have to worry about pushing any buttons. Come down out of the clouds in a stabilised approach and then actually fly at 30 knots, so very slow. It determines the flight path; it determines whether they want to manually go on the rig. If they don’t want to go on the rig they can fly by or push a button and you can come back around and take another go.’ ‘We believe, our customers believe and now we have the support of the FAA that this is a big safety enhancement. It’s been a long time coming and it is going to be a big safety improvement to the fleet. And then we will go back and eventually do it to our other products such as the S-76.’ |
Roughneck: "Does my bum look big in this?"
Transocean: "Yes" Oil workers too fat for helicopters told to diet :E I/C |
It's a fair comment. As someone who travels to work in this manner regularly, I wonder if more stringent checks on the physical size of passengers should be introduced.
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The worst one I had was in China. A mountain who weighed in at 350lbs. His kit was in two bags that weighed 84lbs and he also had a set of golfclubs.
The rep let him go with the lot and two other Chinese pax were dropped. He was typical of contractors then. They would carry there entire wardrobe around the world and expect to take it offshore with them; and in most cases there was no alternative. |
My worst in this department was last year. 9 Dutchmen out to a work platform.
It was a very short trip on a VFR day, so we offered a good payload. The manifest came back with a payload of over 3200lbs. The average pax weight I calculated out as 306lbs!! :eek: The amusing thing is, the oil & gas companies come back moaning why we can't take 9 or 10 pax any more! :ugh: |
In a word (or three actually) Disability Discrimination Act
O&G UK examining Doctors wary of refusing a Medical Cert due to patient being too fat, BMI over 40 then get the 'you must lose weight' instruction then sent for the dubious 'can you get into a survival suit and can you fit through this huge escape window', if they pass that then off they go for another two years to get even fatter :ok: Full Breakfast and stickies anyone ??????????:):):) |
AMEC wins £68m North Sea rig contract
British engineering and project management firm AMEC has been handed a £68m contract by a consortium led by BP to deliver two new oil rigs in the North Sea. The consortium, which also includes Shell, ConocoPhillips and Chevron, is building the two rigs off the coast of the Shetland Islands in an area known as Clair Ridge. The work is scheduled to run until March, 2016 and will employ a team of around 800 Amec workers at its peak. The contract will see Knutsford-based Amec and its subsidiary Qedi install new production, accommodation and drilling facilities and subsea pipelines. The two new platforms are due to be installed in 2015, with production scheduled to start in 2016. BP is investing £4.5bn in the project to access 640 million barrels of oil, which will be extracted at a rate of up to 120,000 barrels per day until 2050. Amec managing director Alan Johnstone said: “I am delighted that our long track record of delivery of major and complex projects for BP has been recognised through this significant contract award. “The award extends our relationship with BP, as well as crowning our overall involvement with this giant development from concept right through to commissioning." “We will be utilising our leading expertise from our brownfield centre of excellence and securing North Sea jobs.” Amec said it would utilise the latest technology and processes at the site to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. In 2011, Amec was awarded an engineering and project management contract for the platform design of the Clair Ridge development. Perhaps in view of previous posts .. these rigs should be equipped with an on-board gymnasium! ;) |
The Pilot's job is to do the math....provide the Client with the available Payload....and then drive the machine.:ugh:
It matters not how many passengers that winds up being....that is for the Client to deal with.:= You are going to the Rig with whatever the Client puts onboard....be it just the Daily Newspapers....or a Copying Machine....or a bunch of Bears.:p As long as the Passenger, Baggage, and cargo weights are accurate....that is all the Crew need worry themselves about.:ok: |
If the front office is manned by pilots whose figures challenge the average immersion suit does this actually improve the C of G situation in the AW139?
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Actually Sasless, the pilots responsibility is to the safety of his/her passengers. Now if some of them are too big, especially with an SK76, where people are loaded behind the pilots seats, there is a big threat to their safety in the event of an emergency evacuation on/in the water. Us in the front seats could escape ok, but its not the done thing I understand, to be the first into the liferaft!
This is a serious issue with the smaller offshore aircraft, and one that can be sorted by oil & gas companies for the safety & health of their workers. |
The Operator, Client, and CAA have that responsibility. Pilots operate within the the confines of the Law, Regulations, Rules, SOP's, and Approved Procedures, and Contract Terms.
If the Big Three have approved the carriage of those you think too large for their own good...it is not your remit to make that judgement. Raise the issue in a Safety Meeting, make your views known, and stick to doing your job until the Rules change. The US EMS industry....the cheap outfits that use Jet Rangers....love skinny Pilots as the very limited Payload demands Pilots who suffer from Anorexia in order to get off the ground with a patient. Fortunately for the Offshore Industry the Client pays by the Hour and by the Pound.....not by the number of passengers. |
There's a bit more to it than just doing the numbers. Checking to see if the passengers can wear a life jacket and can fit in the seat belt are done after the numbers. I would check and brief my CP to check and make sure that the portly passenger would not just pull up his belly, lay the seatbelt in his lap and let his belly cover up the buckle.
It's good to see drilling companies begin to take the matter seriously. It will be interesting to see if they apply the same policy to the service companies, because that's where the bulk of the problem lies. |
Originally Posted by js0987
because that's where the bulk of the problem lies.
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