CHC Brazil wins five new contracts with Petrobras

Ready for work: an AW139 pictured at Macaé Airport.

CHC Helicopter’s Brazilian division, CHC do Brasil, has won five new contracts with oil giant Petrobras, extending the operator’s long running partnership with the producer.

The contracts, starting later this year, will see CHC operate four more AW139s and an additional S-92A in Brazil for five-years. Two AW139s will operate from Cabo Frio airport near Rio de Janerio supporting fields in the Campos Basin.

The two other AW139s and the S-92A will operate from Macaé Airport, north of Rio, to support the Mero Field in the pre-salt of Santos Basin. This is the third largest oil field in production in Brazil.

Licia Rocha, CHC’s sales director – Latin America said: “We have supported Petrobras since 1990, delivering the highest levels of operational excellence and safety. These new contracts strengthen our long-standing relationship with Petrobras and recognise the value of long-term partnerships built on sustainable contracting principles.”

The five new contracts were awarded during the oil company’s recent greenfield and renewal tender, where 33 aircraft were put up for bid. CHC had no contracts exposed during this process and received the largest fleet expansion as a result.

The operator has expanded its team to meet Brazil’s growing demand for offshore services and aircraft from other markets to ensure optimal fleet utilistion, added Rocha. “After signing and starting all the contracts awarded in the recent Petrobras tender, we will end 2025 with 21 aircraft in country across 18 contracts,” she said.

Meanwhile, the operator’s Norwegian division, CHC Helikopter Service, last month  agreed a $500m strategic partnership with Aker BP to support its offshore helicopter operations in Norway.