Two companies submit bids in Petrobras helicopter tenders

Bristow and Omni Táxi Aéreo submitted bids in two Petrobras tenders to charter helicopters, a source familiar with the matter told BNamericas.  

In the tender for two ambulance helicopters to operate offshore from Macaé, in Rio de Janeiro, and Vitória (Espírito Santo), Bristow offered one medium-sized aircraft for 3.9mn reais (US$700,000) a month and Omni one for 5.7mn reais a month. 

The expectation is that each will sign a 60-month contract for one Leonardo AW139 helicopter following negotiations with the Brazilian federal oil company. 

Aeromaster Táxi Aéreo, CHC do Brasil Táxi Aéreo, Costa do Sol Táxi Aéreo and Líder Táxi Aéreo did not submit bids. 

Meanwhile, Omni was the sole bidder in a tender for a helicopter for work at the Urucu onshore production hub in Amazonas state, bidding 664mn reais over the 48-month contract. 

Petrobras is also carrying out tenders for the contracting of 36 additional aircraft. 

“There’s never been so many simultaneous tenders. These ongoing Petrobras tenders are possibly the largest global RFQ [request for quotations] ever carried out in total aircraft numbers,” the source said.

ARGENTINA

At the end of June, Omni concluded an operation in Argentina to support Equinor's CAN block exploration operation, 300km off Mar del Plata, with helicopters. 

The aircraft were specially prepared with an electric winch for rescue at sea. While one remained on land, the other made regular passenger changes. 

The operation was carried out in partnership with Argentine company Helicópteros Marinos, a local air operator that provided commercial, logistical, customs and civil aviation authority (ANAC) support.