Waypoint Leasing is forecasting a near-term recovery for the offshore helicopter market based on fourth-quarter developments in the global energy outlook. Ian Gurekin, Waypoint's chief risk officer, said yesterday that the near-term outlook is now “optimistic, buoyed by OPEC’s announcement to cut production followed by non-OPEC producers vowing to do the same. Several of the major oil companies have taken advantage of the current environment by securing investment deals, committing to new offshore blocks and increasing exploration and drilling activity.”
The helicopter lessor noted that it added 23 new aircraft and 10 new customers in last year’s down market and moved stronger into the light-twin helicopter market based on stronger demand there. It also announced that of the 10 Leonardo AW139s and Sikorsky S-92s it took back from operator CHC as part of that company's reorganization, seven have already been placed and two are likely to be soon. Overall, Waypoint completed 30 re-leases last year.
Waypoint’s portfolio includes more than 140 aircraft for 26 customers in 31 countries worth more than $1.6 billion. It also has firm orders and options with OEMs over the next five years for more than 120 helicopters valued at more than $1.5 billion.