Offshore Contract for Norsk

Norsk Helikopter has signed a six-year contract with StatoilHydro and ENI Norge for offshore oil platform helicopter transportation from Hammerfest, Norway, starting next year. The agreement includes two Eurocopter EC 225s, which will perform platform crew change services and 24/7 search-and-rescue in the Barents Sea. The search-and-rescue helicopter will be equipped with a dual-rescue hoist, auto hover, an infrared camera, satellite communication and advanced medical equipment. Both helicopters will have de-icing systems. The contract is valued at NOK 1.4 billion ($276 million), including three additional one-year option periods. Before the EC 225s are delivered in mid-2010, helicopters in a current contract will provide those services.