Oil and gas exploration in Nigeria started with holistic importation of equipment, technical and service personnel for years until Nigerians began to gain knowledge in the industry and today, Nigerians have become major players.
Over a decade ago, air shuttle service by aviation companies in the oil and gas industry was dominated by foreign organisations like Bristow Helicopters and CHC of Canada under Aero Contractors. However, in the last few years, indigenous companies like OAS Helicopters, Caverton Helicopters, Toucan Aviation and others made an in-road to providing services to major oil and gas companies and actualising the local content policy of the federal government in the sub-sector.
But the company that has blazed the trail with consistent growth among the indigenous oil and gas shuttle service providers is OAS Helicopters. The company is providing efficient service to top oil and gas companies and has continued to record success with a growing reputation in safety and inimitable service delivery.
Recently, the company, which partners with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) expanded its fleet with the delivery of AW139 helicopter to boost capacity. Group Chairman of OAS Helicopters, Captain Evarest Nnaji, who announced the successful delivery and integration of the 6th Leonardo AW139 helicopter into the OAS Helicopters fleet, said it was acquired through “our valued strategic partner, Abu Dhabi Aviation.”
THISDAY learnt that the aircraft is a brand-new Year 2025 model and it is first Phase-8 AW139 helicopter in Nigeria.
“This asset is designed to enhance our clients deep water oil and gas support experience as it offers the highest possible safety standards, which underscore our profound commitment to reliability, comfort and efficiency in the industry,” he explained.
THISDAY gathered that the Leonardo AW139 helicopter has state-of-the-art avionics and autopilot systems, long-range capability and superior speed; enhanced safety through redundant systems and advanced situational awareness tools and ideal for both offshore and onshore rotary-wing missions in challenging environments
According to Leonardo, the manufacturer of the aircraft, modern helicopter operations require a combination of flexibility, high performance, proven technologies, and exceptional safety features.
“The multi-mission AW139 brings an unrivalled pedigree, as the best-selling twin-engine helicopter in its class with more than 1,000 units in service with customers worldwide.
“Boasting superior performance, advanced safety design features, and state-of-the-art avionics, the AW139 can carry up to 15 passengers in a spacious cabin, all with the best power reserve of any helicopter in its class. The AW139 is part of the AWFamily of advanced rotorcraft. This shared DNA enables customers to benefit from the common design philosophy, safety features and high-performance flight characteristics that are the hallmarks of the AW169, AW139 and AW189 family,” the company stated on its website.
“This fleet expansion reinforces our long-term strategy of deploying mission-ready, technologically advanced platforms to meet the increasing demand for reliable, high-performance rotorcraft services in Nigeria and West Africa,” Nnaji further said.
Also in 2023, OAS Helicopters acquired Leonardo AW-139, 2023 model. The AgustaWestland AW139, now known as the Leonardo AW139, was another 15-seat medium-sized twin-engine helicopter developed and produced by the Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer, AgustaWestland (now part of Leonardo).
It is marketed at several different roles, including VIP/corporate transport, military use, offshore transport, fire-fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol.
“It is also necessary to share with you the short story behind its acquisition and timely delivery to Nigeria. At agreement, OAS consented to provide the aircraft within six months of contract signing. But due to financial and technical capacity we and our technical partners have mustered and deployed in the industry over the years, this aircraft through the manufacturers, Leonardo, was procured and delivered in Nigeria within three months (90 days). A feat not common nowadays with Saudi Arabia multiple aircraft back-orders running in upper tens,” the company said when the equipment was acquired in 2023.
This indicates the consistency OAS Helicopters has maintained since it started providing oil and gas shuttle services. The company has also shown that Nigerian aviation service providers to oil and gas sector have excelled the stringent conditions demanded by the sector, which were only being met in the past by foreign companies. This also shows how far Nigerian companies have grown in providing the right equipment, the highly skilled personnel and the professionalism.
Recently, in a gesture that reaffirms the enduring strategic alliance between OAS Helicopters and Abu Dhabi Aviation, the Group Chairman of OAS Helicopters, visited the headquarters of its partners.
The meeting highlighted the deepening partnership between both aviation leaders and underscored their shared commitment to operational excellence, technological advancement, and long-term investment in aviation services across Africa and the Middle East.
The company said the visit represented another step forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing joint objectives in oil and gas aviation support services.
The landmark meeting marks a renewed commitment between OAS and ADA to scale joint efforts and expand their footprint in the African and Middle Eastern aviation markets. Discussions focused on deepening investment in rotary-wing support operations for offshore oil and gas, with a shared vision of raising service standards, safety, and efficiency across the region.
However, Kudos should be given to the federal government which from 2010 began to deliberately enforce the local content policy in the oil and gas industry, including the air shuttle service providers, which hitherto was dominated by foreign companies. Despite the tough conditions, Nigerian companies started meeting the requirements to provide that critical service.
Oil exploration and production companies always emphasise on safety, efficiency, professionalism and state-of-the-art equipment. These conditions are being met by Nigerian operators like OAS Helicopters. It is also worthy of note that some foreign oil and gas shuttle service providers spent years in Nigeria without giving their Nigerian pilots and engineers commanding roles until recently. This shows how far Nigerians have come in providing this important service to the oil and gas industry.
Recently, VivaJets’ CEO, Erika Achum, explained how hassle-free air mobility is needed to unlock efficiency, speed, and strategic advantage in the oil and gas sector.
“As we know, the oil and gas industry is a vital part of Nigeria’s economy. Even though it makes up only six per cent of our GDP, it accounts for about 80 per cent of our entire exports as a country. When you look at the pace at which the oil and gas industry operates, there’s a growing need for reliable, flexible, and secure mobility. Private aviation is no longer just a luxury, it is becoming infrastructure,” Achum said.
OAS Helicopters exemplifies that ideal service provider for oil and gas industry and with such good companies in the business aviation sub-sector, Nigeria’s air travel industry is fully formed.
