BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA (By Steve Stewart, Energy Analytics Institute, 3.Jul.2026, Words: 272) — Equinor extended its agreement with CHC Helikopter Service for personnel transport and search and rescue services in central Norway until 2030.
Equinor has exercised 2 options with CHC.
The agreement ensures the continued provision of helicopter capacity that is essential for safe personnel transport and emergency preparedness for Equinor’s operations in the region, Equinor said on 3 Jul. 2026 in an official statement.
“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”, Mette Ottøy senior vice president for joint operations support at Equinor.
CHC will continue to provide helicopter services from bases in Kristiansund and Brønnøysund, in addition to search and rescue services at Heidrun.
The contract provides predictability for maintaining current helicopter preparedness and capacity throughout the option period, Equinor said.
Helicopter capacity in Central Norway
For Equinor, CHC operates the following helicopter capacity in central Norway:
- Kristiansund: 2 passenger helicopters and one back-up search and rescue (SAR) helicopter
- Brønnøysund: 1 passenger helicopter, also used for medical evacuation
- Heidrun: 1 SAR helicopter on the installation
- The helicopters are of the Sikorsky S-92 type.
Facts
- Contract partner: CHC Helikopter Service AS
- Scope: personnel transport and search and rescue services in Central Norway
- Number of options exercised: 2
- Option period: 1 Feb. 2028 to 31 Jan. 2030
- Estimated value: approximately NOK 1.7bn (combined value of both options)
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By Steve Stewart reporting from Baton Rouge. © 1999-2026 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
