Norwegian oil firm Statoil and the larger offshore neighborhood are mourning the lack of 13 individuals who died in Friday’s helicopter crash in Norway. 

All 13 folks aboard, together with 11 passengers and a couple of aircrew, have been killed when the Super Puma helicopter crashed simply offshore of Turøy, Norway, to the west of Bergen. The CHC helicopter was en route from the Statoil-operated Gullfaks B platform to Bergen when the crash occurred at about midday Friday. 

Statoil has recognized 13 victims as staff of Halliburton, Aker Solutions, Schlumberger, Welltec, Karsten Moholt and one worker from Statoil. The two pilots are employed by CHC.

The accident is one in every of the worst accidents within the historical past of the Norwegian oil trade, and the worst offshore helicopter accident since 2009 when a Super Puma crashed off northern Scotland whereas coming back from a BP platform within the North Sea. All 16 folks on board have been killed.

On Saturday, Statoil’s President and CEO, Eldar Sætre, and government vice presidents Margareth Øvrum and Arne Sigve Nylund met with the households of the victims at a ‘next of kin’ middle arrange in Bergen. Norway’s Crown Prince, the Crown Princess and Prime Minister Erna Solberg have been additionally there to supply their condolences.

“Today, Statoil is a company in mourning. Yesterday, we were hit by one of the most severe accidents in the history of the Norwegian oil industry. Many families have been hit, and we have lost good colleagues and friends,” says Eldar Sætre.

“Today, we are one family. We will stand together as one united industry, and do everything in our power to take care of the affected families,” Sætre added. “Finding an answer to why the helicopter crashed is very important, both to the next of kin and to all who have the Norwegian continental shelf as their work place. The safety of everyone working for Statoil is the most important thing for us”.

The Accident Investigation Board in Norway will examine the accident. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch is sending a small crew to help the Norwegian AIBN of their investigation. Statoil may also contribute to the official investigation and launch its personal investigation.

The sort of helicopter concerned was an Airbus EC 225, a long-range passenger transport helicopter designed by Eurocopter and well-liked within the world oil and fuel trade. Both the UK and Norway have suspended all public transport and industrial flights for all EC 225 helicopters. Some unverified studies have even mentioned all Super Puma’s have been grounded worldwide. 

“We are greatly saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and colleagues of those on board,” mentioned Karl Fessenden, President and Chief Executive Officer of CHC Helicopter. “We have mobilized our response team and our experts are working closely with Norwegian authorities, Airbus Helicopters and Statoil. Safety remains of paramount importance to all of us at CHC.”

Mick Borwell, Health, Safety and Environment Policy Director with Oil & Gas UK, mentioned: “This is tragic news from Norway and our immediate thoughts go to the family, friends and colleagues of those involved in this incident.”

“Oil & Gas UK will work closely with helicopter operators, the Civil Aviation Authority and industry to fully understand the circumstances of this tragedy. We will be following developments closely but in the meantime speculation on the cause must be avoided,” Borwell added. “We will work with the helicopter operators to develop effective support to the workforce and offshore operations during this period of investigation.”

“This is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased,” mentioned Luis Araujo, chief government officer of Aker Solutions. “Our priority now is to take care of our employees and the families of those who have been affected.” The firm mentioned its staff on board labored for Aker Solutions’ upkeep, modifications and operations unit in Norway.

Danish properly options Welltech confirmed that it had a Bergen-based worker on board the helicopter when it crashed. “Our thoughts go to the employee’s family and colleagues,” the corporate mentioned in a press release Saturday. “We express our sincerest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives in in this tragic accident.”

The accident is the newest involving transport helicopters working within the offshore vitality trade. In 2013, 4 folks have been killed when a Super Puma helicopter crashed in north Scotland. 12 folks survived that accident. More just lately, six folks have been killed in August 2015 when a oil and fuel transport helicopter owned by Bristow Helicopters crashed off Nigeria. ‘

“Our thoughts also go out to all of you who work on the Norwegian continental shelf,” commented Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg in a press release. “We share with you the loss of your friends and colleagues.”

“Almost all of us know someone who works in the North Sea. It has been a long time since we have experienced such a serious accident. “This is a heavy day. But it is heaviest for those who have lost loved ones,” Prime Minister Solberg added.