Following a competitive tender process, the contract, which is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement, was awarded in support of Shell’s “Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project,” which is expected to commence mid-year of 2015 for a duration of approximately 260 days. The contract will utilize two leased Sikorsky S-92 aircraft for offshore personnel, cargo and medevac transport and a third leased Sikorsky S-92 for dedicated SAR operations. Over the term of the initial contract period, revenues are expected to be approximately C$20 million.
HNZ’s president and CEO, Don Wall, said, “we are excited to expand our current aviation operations in Halifax to include this important step in supporting Shell’s exploration operations offshore Nova Scotia and we appreciate the continuing confidence Shell has placed in HNZ. We look forward to providing a safe and efficient service, while expanding our capabilities in Nova Scotia into heavy offshore helicopters including a full, all weather search-and-rescue service, in the North Atlantic. This contract indicates success in executing our expansion and diversification strategy post-Afghanistan, and as a Canadian-owned corporation, marks the natural next step of entering the Canadian offshore oil and gas market.”
HNZ Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, has been a helicopter operator in Canada for over 60 years. This contract is HNZ’s third offshore oil and gas support contract with Shell globally and represents its first offshore contract in Atlantic Canada.
