Helicopter Service AS

Helicopter Service AS
Name	Helicopter Service AS
Type	Private
Industry	Aviation
Founded	1956
Headquarters	Stavanger, Norway
Key people	Lars Petter Rockness
Products	Helicopter transport, Search and Rescue, Offshore support

Helicopter Service AS is a Norwegian aviation company established in 1956, based in Stavanger, Norway, providing helicopter transport for offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, and aerial work. The company has operated in North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and international markets linking platforms, airports, and heliports. Over decades it has intersected with major Statoil, Equinor projects, worked alongside Schlumberger, and contributed to regional connectivity involving Sandnes, Bergen, Tromsø, and Aberdeen.

History

Founded in 1956 in Stavanger, the company began during the postwar expansion of Norwegian aviation and the emergence of North Sea hydrocarbon exploration associated with discoveries like Ekofisk field and Brent oilfield. In the 1960s and 1970s it expanded operations concurrent with the development of ConocoPhillips and BP activities, contracting to serve installations such as Statfjord and Troll field. During the 1980s it adapted to rotorcraft innovations from manufacturers Sikorsky Aircraft, Eurocopter, and Bell Helicopter, and engaged with offshore support networks linked to Halliburton and Baker Hughes. The 1990s and 2000s saw strategic alliances and competition with regional operators including CHC Helicopter, Bristow Group, and Helikopter Service competitors, while regulatory developments from authorities like Civil Aviation Authority influenced licensing and safety standards. In the 2010s the firm navigated oil price volatility influenced by global events such as the 2014 oil glut and shifted resources between fixed-wing contractors like Norwegian Air Shuttle and rotary operations with clients such as TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil.

Operations and Services

Helicopter Service AS provides offshore crew transfer, aerial crane operations, medevac, and search and rescue services. Typical contracts have included platform logistics for Maersk Oil, emergency response coordination with Norwegian Red Cross, and supporting marine projects for Kongsberg Gruppen and Aker Solutions. The company has served aviation hubs at Sola Airport, Bodø Airport, Kristiansund Airport, Kvernberget, and international bases including Aberdeen Airport (Dyce), operating under flight rules administered by bodies like European Union Aviation Safety Agency and interacting with air traffic services such as Avinor. Specialized missions have supported offshore decommissioning projects related to Shell plc and subsea installations for Subsea 7.

Fleet

Fleet composition has historically included types from manufacturers Sikorsky, Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), Bell Helicopter Textron, and Leonardo S.p.A.. Notable airframes in service have included Sikorsky S-61, Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma, Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma Mk-2, and variants of the Bell 412. The company maintained offshore-configured helicopters with navigation suites from suppliers like Honeywell International and rotorcraft maintenance partnerships with Rolls-Royce engine service centers. Depot-level maintenance was carried out at facilities proximate to Sola Airport and in collaboration with logistics providers linked to Boeing, GE Aviation, and component specialists from Smiths Group.

Safety and Maintenance

Safety management systems were developed in accordance with standards from European Union Aviation Safety Agency, insurance underwriters associated with Lloyd's of London, and procedures influenced by incident analyses from agencies such as the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board. Maintenance, repair, and overhaul followed manufacturer recommendations from Airbus Helicopters and Sikorsky, with maintenance tracking software provided by vendors comparable to Ramco Systems and IFS. Training programs used simulators and collaborated with flight training organizations like CAE Inc. and FlightSafety International, and coordinated with emergency response teams from Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and regional hospitals such as Stavanger University Hospital.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Ownership has included private stakeholders, institutional investors, and strategic partnerships with oilfield service companies. Corporate governance involved boards with ties to energy industry entities such as StatoilHydro (now Equinor), financial institutions like DNB ASA, and advisory interactions with export and trade bodies including Innovation Norway. The company negotiated contracts with major operators including Chevron Corporation, Eni, and maritime firms like Wilh. Wilhelmsen and Bourbon Offshore for crewing and logistics support.

Notable Incidents and Accidents

Throughout its history the operator was affected by industry-wide incidents that prompted regulatory review, contributing to lessons integrated into safety culture. Events in the broader Norwegian offshore helicopter sector—such as the 1997 Aberdeen helicopter crash and other high-profile rotorcraft accidents—prompted enhanced standards by CAA Norway and reviews by European Maritime Safety Agency-linked bodies. Investigations by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority and collaboration with manufacturers like Airbus Helicopters and Sikorsky led to modifications in operational procedures, emergency flotation systems by Norsafe, and crew resource management training consistent with recommendations from International Civil Aviation Organization.

Category:Aviation companies of Norway Category:Helicopter operators