Norway’s oil and gas player Vår Energi has awarded the contract for operating two new helicopters to compatriot company Lufttransport RW. The helicopters will transport passengers to offshore assets on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) .
The new AW189 -type aircraft duo built by Italy’s Leonardo is said to be a part of a new generation of helicopters used throughout the offshore industry worldwide. The helicopters that will take passengers from the Sola and Florø airports to the NCS are expected to arrive in Norway in the summer of 2026. After that, they are set to gradually start operations that same year.
Torger Rød , COO at Vår Energi, said: “Ensuring safe and predictable transportation offshore is a priority – and indeed a prerequisite for our growth ambitions. By introducing the Leonardo AW189 to the shelf we are making our helicopter traffic more resilient, reducing reliance on the single helicopter model currently in use on the NCS. Simultaneously, ensuring capacity for the future.”
According to Vår Energi, Lufttransport RW has extensive experience with Norwegian conditions, Leonardo helicopters, and offshore flights. The contract between the two Norwegian players is set to last up to 12 years if all options are exercised.
The Norwegian major has also signed an agreement with Milestone Aviation Group, a global helicopter leasing company, which will assume ownership of the AW189 helicopters once they are delivered by Leonardo. This contract has a duration of 12 years.
Eva Fagernes , Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Vår Energi clarified: “The contract with Lufttransport RW AS gives us a third option for shuttle services. Hence, ensuring high-quality technical solutions, increased robustness and agility of our offshore operations.”
Vår Energi is following in the footsteps of its compatriot energy player Equinor, which entered a similar deal, but for five helicopters, with Lufttransport and Milestone Aviation in late January .
As for Vår Energi’s core business activities, the firm hopes to put four major projects into operation this year. This is expected to help its production exceed 400,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd).