SAR contract placed

A five-year contract worth NOK 350 million for search and rescue (SAR) services in the Norwegian Sea has been awarded by Statoil to Norsk Helikopter.

Running from 1 July, this deal includes an option to extend the period for two years. The SAR service covers Heidrun, Åsgard, Draugen, Njord and Norne.

A specially-equipped Super Puma L/L1 will be stationed on Statoil’s Heidrun platform, and is due to provide round-the-clock SAR coverage from next spring.

Aviation adviser Erik Hamremoen in Statoil reports that this machine ranks as the largest and most modern rescue helicopter on the Norwegian continental shelf.

It is equipped with an infrared camera to identify people and oil spills in the water, and can fly in virtually all weather conditions.

Facilities also include satellite communication, allowing the crew to communicate directly with land or vessels regardless of position.

“This significantly strengthens our overall emergency response in the region, particularly for medical emergencies,” says Steinar Solvang.

Responsible for health, safety and the environment in Statoil’s Halten/Nordland business cluster, he says that all installations can now get round-the-clock external medical aid in under an hour.

And sick or injured personnel will be able to reach the Regional Hospital in Trondheim in less than two hours.

Operators Statoil, Shell and Norsk Hydro collaborate over emergency response services in the Norwegian Sea, and the cost of hiring the helicopter will be shared between them.