Statoil has signed contracts with Canadian flyer CHC Helicopter Service for flights between offshore installations and the coastal cities of Bergen and Floro and the maintenance of a standby chopper at the Statfjord B platform.

For five years between January 2010 and May 2015, the company will do all Statoil departures to and from Bergen. From June 2009, flights from Floro, north of Bergen, will be covered

Up to four years of contracts put the combined work order for the nine helicopters at about NOK6 billion (C$1 billion).

Four, ultra-modern, Eurocopter Super Puma EC225s will make the type’s debut off Norway. The other five aircraft are Sikorsky S-92s.

The hire is another blow to Norsk Helikopter Service, which also flies for Statoil. It’s the second billion-kroner deal handed to its Canadian rival in recent years.