…plans to introduce light-wing aircraft into Nigeria oil and gas industry by Q4 2024
Oredola Adeola
The Management of Bristow Helicopters has initiated the plan to partner with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to introduce light-wing aircraft into the Nigerian oil and gas industry by fourth quarter 2024, and to commence a search and rescue service(SRC) for vessels
Mr. Oladapo Oyeleke, Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, who led the company’s team to the Board’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, submitted the proposal when he met with the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, recently.
Oyeleke reaffirmed the company’s commitment to NCDMB’s mandate, and also expressed willingness to explore other areas of possible collaboration.
He stated that Bristow Helicopters is the global leader in the provision of helicopter services and has operated in Nigeria for over 65 years.
He acknowledged that the company had found comfort in the Nigerian environment and currently provides services to diverse clientele within and outside the Nigerian oil and gas industry using its fleet of aircrafts.
He said, “We carry 3000 passengers every day.
The Managing Director maintained that the development of the Nigerian energy sector relies heavily on the company’s support and services.
“You can only access deepwater projects that are about 200 nautical miles using our services. You cannot get there by boat,” he noted.
The Managing Director claimed that the company has trained over 300 Nigerian pilots and engineers in partnership with the NCDMB.
According to him, ” We have trained Nigerian pilots and engineers heading the aviation departments of most international oil companies.”
Speaking further on the company’s local content strides, particularly in human capacity development, Oyeleke stated that the company started appointing Nigerians to the position of chief executives 10 years ago, despite Bristow Helicopters being an international brand.
He affirmed that “the company pursues local content without diluting value and safety.”
The Managing Director suggested that Bristow Helicopters and NCDMB could partner in setting up a centre of excellence for effective training of manpower that would work in the aviation subsector of the oil and gas industry.
He emphasised that his company brings years of global excellence and always tries to raise the bar.
Another possible area of partnership according to him is in the introduction of search and rescue support services in the oil and gas industry.
He indicated that Nigeria has a sizable number of vessels operating in the oil and gas industry, yet there is a weak search and rescue support system.
He mentioned that Bristow Helicopters is the global leader in the provision of such services and planned to bring that expertise to the Nigerian market.
He stated that the third possible area of collaboration for both organisations is the planned investment in light-wing aircrafts for the Nigerian industry.
According to Oyeleke, “the aircrafts will come in the 4th Quarter of 2024 if the market takes us there.
“We plan to train Nigerians to become the pioneers of that fleet and they can become the ambassadors,” MD Bristow said.
Engr. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB,in his response, lauded Bristow Helicopters for the company’s professionalism and offering excellent services to the oil and gas industry over the past six decades.
He expressed interest in the opportunities presented by the new light-wing aircrafts and confirmed that the Board would seek to train young Nigerians to acquire capabilities required to operate the aircrafts.
Ogbe also pledged the Board’s support for Bristow Helicopters’ plan to introduce search and rescue services in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Such services, according to the NCDMB’s boss, would be challenging and expensive to deploy, but would ultimately add great value to the industry, he concluded.
