Oil Patch Bits: Repsol taps Erickson for scientific expedition flights

Erickson, a leading global provider of aviation services, said it has signed a contract with Repsol, a multinational oil and gas company, to provide helicopter transport for a scientific research expedition in Alaska’s North Slope.

Utilizing two of its Bell 212 helicopters, Erickson will provide daily transportation for the team of researchers and subcontractors from Deadhorse and the Prudhoe Bay area to remote areas in the region to conduct scientific research. Scientists will perform a number of studies, including an effort to monitor ice breakup and flood and flow patterns along the Colville River. Researchers and engineers from the Michael Baker Corp., responsible for engineering and constructing the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, are subcontractors for this work with Repsol.

“Our acquisitions last year are helping to grow the company’s offerings in the Northern Territory as well as our footprint across five continents,” said Dave Sell, Alaska sales manager for Erickson. “We hope to continue that positive trajectory in 2014, by focusing our efforts on better serving the State of Alaska’s oil and gas industry needs for aerial operations with its challenging geography and terrain.”

The company employs the world’s most qualified pilots, maintenance personnel and support teams necessary to aid in flight operations and safety procedures. Services offered by Erickson’s medium- and light-lift helicopters include passenger transport, oil and seismic exploration support, search and rescue, aerial spray application, firefighting, long-line lift operations, and emergency medical evacuation at some of the most challenging and isolated places on Earth.