Norwegian oil company Statoil, has launched an in-house investigation into the helicopter accident on April 29, when a CHC-operated helicopter carrying 13 people crashed near Bergen. The helicopter was flying back to shore from Statoil’s Gullfaks B platform, when the incident happened. All aboard died.

The Norwegian oil company on Wednesday said its in-house investigation will look to identify measures to improve Statoil’s work on helicopter safety on the Norwegian continental shelf, adding that the Accident Investigation Board Norway is responsible for identifying the chain of events and the cause of the accident.

“The Accident Investigation Board Norway will work on finding the answer to how this accident could happen. To us it is crucial that everyone going offshore to work is confident that we do our utmost to ensure their safety. We are therefore conducting an in-house investigation to identify measures for improving Statoil’s helicopter safety effort,” says chief executive Eldar Sætre.

Statoil’s investigation team will go through the following safety-related aspects of Statoil’s helicopter operations on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS):

• Statoil’s emergency response efforts following the accident, including interaction with authorities and collaboration partners.
• Statoil’s organisation and activities related to helicopter services, including roles and responsibilities distributed between Statoil, helicopter operators and other players involved in operation and maintenance of helicopter operations for Statoil on the NCS.
• How helicopter incidents are followed up by Statoil and the company’s suppliers.

Statoil says that, based on its review the investigation team will present its observations and recommend actions for further improving Statoil’s work on helicopter safety and emergency planning. The investigation report is due to be ready by 30 September 2016, and will be published after this date.

Independent investigations

Regarding the investigation by Accident Investigation Board’s, Statoil says that once the report is ready, the company will consider how to suitably follow it up.

“This consideration is not included in the Statoil investigation team’s mandate. Statoil will assist in the Board’s investigation as requested,” thec ompany said.

CHC will conduct a separate investigation, where Statoil has an observer role. The police are also investigating the accident.