Caverton Helicopters Limited – a subsidiary of Caverton Offshore Support Group PLC (COSG) has announced that it has signed a Helicopter Charter Service Agreement with Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
This service provision will cover offshore platforms operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) as well as all flight requests from other NNPC subsidiaries on a call-off basis.
Chairman of Caverton Helicopters, Adeniyi Makanjuola, said ‘’as a wholly indigenous company, we are delighted to be given an opportunity to provide helicopter services to NNPC. It demonstrates that the government is recognising the capabilities of indigenous companies and willing to partner with them”.
“This relationship with NNPC is an encouragement for us to continue to strive to be at the frontline of helicopter operations in support of oil and gas business in Nigeria. As an addition to our existing contracts, this will have a positive impact on our revenue stream.”
Caverton as a frontline operator of the AW139 with the largest fleet in Nigeria and the Africa sub-region.
Since the introduction of the aircraft in 2012, Caverton has increased its fleet of AW139 helicopters to nine following a strategic fleet expansion and renewal programme.
MD of Caverton Helicopters, Capt. Josiah Choms, said, “the careful implementation of our strategic plan benefits Caverton and Nigeria in that several indigenous pilots and engineers have gained proficiency in this modern aircraft type that has become the staple for the oil and gas industry globally”.
It should be recalled that Caverton signed a landmark agreement with CAE of Canada to operate the first commercial Aviation Training Centre in Africa.
The purpose-built facility to be located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport will feature six (6) simulator bays equipped with a CAE 3000 Series AW 139 full-flight helicopter simulator (FFS), a CAE 7000XR Series Boeing 737 NG full-flight fixed-wing simulator (FFS) and two Simfinity Integrated Procedures Trainers (IPTs).
The collaborative effort will have CAE providing a turnkey solution that will include the start-up, maintenance and operation of the centre for a specified period pending the full transfer of knowledge and skill-sets.
Caverton Helicopters Limited was certified in 2012 as the Authorized Service Centre for Agusta Westland Products with Technical Base at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos Nigeria.
