Bristow Helicopters Ltd. Orders two more EC 225, bringing its Fleet up to Six

At this year’s LIMA show in Malaysia, Bristow Helicopters Ltd. announced an order for two more EC 225 helicopters for oil and gas services. The company was launch customer for the passenger transport version of this aircraft, to be employed in North Sea offshore oil and gas operations. Two EC 225s were ordered in 2004 and delivered in the summer of 2005. Another two were ordered in May 2005 for 2006 delivery. This new order - an option under the May 2005 order, now confirmed - brings the total of EC 225s with Bristow Helicopters Ltd. to six. The helicopters will initially be based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Offshore Logistics, through Air Logistics Inc., Bristow Helicopters Ltd., Norsk Helikopter and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is a major provider of helicopter transportation services to most oil and gas producing regions including the United States Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, the North Sea, Africa, Mexico, South America, Australia, Egypt and the Far East.

Following a competitive tender, the United Kingdom and Dutch operating companies of Shell Exploration and Production recently awarded Bristow Helicopters a seven-year contract for crew-change transport operations throughout the UK and the Dutch sectors of the North Sea. The contract stipulates 54,000 flight hours and has an option for three additional years of operations. Two EC 225s are expected to be introduced on this contract in 2006.

"We have been working successfully with Shell under the existing contract for seven years and enjoyed an excellent working relationship with them in all areas of operations", explained Richard Burman. "The invitation to bid and the subsequent on-line bidding process was very tough and we won by being competitive throughout. We know exactly where we are with the EC 225, and are very satisfied with Shell’s preference for this aircraft.

Eurocopter is very proud to see the EC 225 being selected for serving Shell operations in the harsh North Sea environment. This programme, which benefits from many technological enhancements from the whole Eurocopter product line, sets new standards of safety, comfort and performance for offshore operations. Shell has carried out a thorough assessment of Eurocopter helicopters against stringent criteria. Eurocopter considers their selection recognises that the EC 225 is well adapted to Shell’s and Bristow’s current and future needs.

Eurocopter and Bristow go back a long way together. From 1977, Bristow used the SA 330 Puma for offshore operations. From 1978 onwards, Bristow took part in the definition of the AS 332L Super Puma, by seriously taking into account the operational constraints, which are very severe in the North Sea. The company was the launch customer for this aircraft in 1980 with a massive order of 35 units. Since their entry into service in 1982, each of these aircraft logs an average of some 1,000 flight hours per year. The EC 225 is the direct descendant of this remarkable machine, and was deemed the most suitable aircraft for the specific requirements of the Shell contract.

Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.

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