STAVANGER, Norway — Equinor has exercised two contract options with CHC Helikopter Service, extending helicopter transport and search and rescue (SAR) services for its Central Norway offshore operations through January 2030.

The two exercised options have a combined estimated value of approximately NOK 1.7 billion and cover the period from 1 February 2028 to 31 January 2030. The agreement ensures continued helicopter capacity for personnel transport, emergency preparedness and medical evacuation supporting Equinor’s offshore installations.

Under the contract, CHC will continue operating from its bases at Kristiansund and Brønnøysund while maintaining a dedicated SAR helicopter aboard the Heidrun platform. The fleet assigned to the contract consists of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, including passenger transport aircraft and helicopters configured for search and rescue and medical evacuation missions.

Mette Ottøy, Senior Vice President for Joint Operations Support at Equinor, “Safe transportation of personnel to and from our installations is a prerequisite for safe operations. With this extension, we are securing robust and predictable helicopter services in Central Norway until 2030. This is a region with a high level of activity for Equinor.”

Helicopter capacity in Central Norway

For Equinor, CHC operates the following helicopter capacity in Central Norway with Sikorsky S-92 :

  • Kristiansund: Two passenger helicopters and one back-up search and rescue (SAR) helicopter
  • Brønnøysund: One passenger helicopter, also used for medical evacuation
  • Heidrun: One SAR helicopter on the installation

Background

Equinor is Norway’s largest offshore energy operator and one of the world’s leading users of commercial helicopter transport services. Helicopter operations form a critical part of the company’s offshore logistics, transporting personnel between mainland bases and offshore platforms while maintaining continuous search and rescue and medical evacuation capabilities across the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

CHC Helikopter Service is one of Norway’s principal offshore helicopter operators, providing passenger transport, SAR and MEDEVAC services using Sikorsky S-92 helicopters from several coastal bases supporting oil and gas operations in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea.

About Equinor: Equinor is an international energy company headquartered in Stavanger, Norway, and one of the world’s largest offshore energy operators. The company develops oil, gas and renewable energy projects while operating extensive offshore infrastructure across the Norwegian Continental Shelf and internationally.

About CHC Helicopter: CHC Helicopter is a global provider of offshore helicopter transportation, search and rescue, and helicopter maintenance services. Operating one of the world’s largest fleets of medium and heavy helicopters, the company supports offshore energy, government and emergency service customers across multiple continents.