The two companies will operate a total of five helicopters serving installations such as Troll, Gullfaks, Oseberg, Martin Linge, Statfjord, Kvitebjørn, and Valemon.
The contracts have an estimated total value of NOK 4.3 billion, including options, and will take effect in early May 2026. The fixed term runs until December 31, 2028, with the possibility of extension until the end of 2030.
”The safety of everyone traveling to and from offshore work is always our highest priority. CHC and Lufttransport are experienced operators we already work with, and they know the crew transportation service and safety requirements on the Norwegian continental shelf. With these contracts, Equinor’s helicopter base in Bergen will have a safe and robust solution,” says Ørjan Kvelvane, head of Operations Support at Equinor.
CHC will operate three Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. Two of these are already under contract with Equinor and will be relocated from Sola to Bergen. The relocation is made possible by the introduction of AW189 helicopters at Sola. In addition, CHC will add one more S-92 helicopter — also currently flying on the Norwegian continental shelf — to the Bergen base.
Lufttransport will operate two AW139 helicopters. These will later be replaced by two AW189 helicopters, scheduled for factory delivery in 2027. Lufttransport is approved by the Civil Aviation Authority Norway to operate both helicopter types and has experience flying AW139 for Equinor as a passenger transport helicopter to Troll from Bergen in 2024.
”Together with the operators, we are now carrying out thorough preparations for a safe and efficient start-up. We have been in dialogue for some time, and they have been able to start early with planning and secure phasing-in. Both operators have already made good progress in hiring pilots and technicians with relevant experience. Training programs are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority Norway, and they have conducted flights to several installations, including with AW139. Work on training and phasing-in will continue going forward,” Kvelvane adds.
Equinor will conduct a series of verifications before the contracts commence. This includes checks of resources, facilities, approvals, manuals, personnel, helicopter equipment, HSE work, IT security, and physical security. These are standard procedures before the start of all Equinor’s helicopter contracts.
