Centrica sign £29m contract with CHC Helicopter

Centrica signs £29million contract with CHC Helicopter to secure an improved helicopter service to meet its operational needs in the North Sea

Centrica Energy and Centrica Storage Limited have signed a £29million three-year contract, with options for a two year extension, with CHC Helicopter to secure an improved helicopter service to meet its operational needs across key oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

In the Southern North Sea, CHC will operate an AW139 aircraft out of Humberside Airport from November 2013, to support Centrica’s offshore activities, including the York and Rough platforms, as the operator relocates all flight operations from Yarmouth.

In the Northern and Central North Sea, Centrica Energy has secured the use of aircraft out of Aberdeen, from June 2013, on a part-exclusive basis to improve scheduling and flexibility of flights to its operated Kittiwake platform.

A joint team has been established by the operator and CHC, the world’s largest offshore helicopter operator, to set up both services – increasing the number of flights, improving the overall efficiency of the service and securing dedicated flights to each of the installations.

Jim Craig, Operations Director UK and the Netherlands, Centrica Energy, said: “We are pleased to announce this new service with CHC, which will improve helicopter provision across our operations in the Northern, Central and Southern North Sea.”

Roddy McKinnon, Operations Business Support Manager, Centrica Storage Limited, said: "This is a deal which strengthens Centrica Storage's very successful partnership with CHC, which has meant we've been able to run our Rough asset efficiently, carrying our people and equipment safely offshore, helping provide vital gas to the UK when it is most needed, in the winter."

The move will see CHC invest more resources in Humberside whilst maintaining its current base in North Denes where demand for its services remains high. Mark Abbey, CHC’s regional director for West North Sea, said: “Centrica Energy is one of the largest producers of gas on the UK Continental Shelf and has an ambitious strategy to grow its business in our region and internationally. We have provided services for Centrica Energy for many years and we are extremely proud to have been chosen to support their operations going forward.”

For more information on CHC contact Laura Grant on 07813 880496 or laura.grant@bigpartnership.co.uk

For more information on Centrica Energy and Centrica Storage Limited, contact Suzanne Edmond, Centrica Energy Media Relations, on +44 (0) 7769 542836