NHV and Flylogix seal offshore heli and drone partnership
Uplifting partnership: Charles Tavner (left) and Jamie John pictured at the NHV hangar in Aberdeen.
Rotary services company NHV and unmanned aviation specialist Flylogix have launched a partnership to combine offshore helicopter operations with drone services.
Billed as a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the energy industry, NHV signed an agreement with the long-distance drone firm to offer a “one-stop shop” – combining drones and helicopter lift – for North Sea oil and gas operators.
Services will combine the UK drone firm’s aircraft monitoring offshore methane emissions, reconnaissance flights to photograph the integrity of ageing oil and gas platforms and defence surveillance of critical infrastructure like pipelines with NHV’s ferry flights.
Initially the partnership will focus in the UK North Sea, mainly served out of Aberdeen and Norwich, and the East Irish Sea. But there are also plans for further expansion.
Jamie John, chief commercial officer, NHV Group, said: “This partnership will deliver a one-stop shop for the energy sector, as our crew transport marries with the innovative solutions offered by drone technology. The world, and the UK in particular, is working hard to integrate and modernise its airspace in recognition of the vital role drone flights will play in the future.”
Flylogix’s advances in both drone applications and engagement with the aviation regulator have helped make this deal possible, he added.
Charles Tavner, chief executive of Flylogix, said the partnership will bring the future of flight to the North Sea and show capability of drone technology. “Already we are seeing huge demand for services from the North Sea oil and gas community, as well as applications in defence and renewables,” said Tavner. “In NHV, we have the ideal partner to help bring these innovative, cost-effective solutions to the market, adding value to the vital logistics work carried out every day by NHV’s helicopter crews.”
Flylogix recently signed deals with several oil and gas operators including Shell, Equinor, and Ithaca Energy for the monitoring of methane emissions from their oil and gas platforms.
The drone developer has also worked with the UK Civil Aviation Authority on the future use of long-distance drones in the North Sea. An airspace trial to allow wider use of drone technology is scheduled to start this summer.
Meanwhile, in April NHV and wind turbine manufacturer Vestas teamed up to fully integrate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in offshore missions for flights departing Esbjerg Airport in Denmark.
