Can you provide us with an overview of the services that National Helicopter Services Limited (NHSL) offers?

Sure, NHSL was established in 1990 with the primary objective of providing offshore helicopter services to the oil and gas sector, as well as other commercial businesses, while also providing the government support with rescue and emergency services. Currently, approximately 95% of our business comes from the oil and gas sector, with 5% coming from commercial and governmental contracts. We have a fleet of seven aircraft, including two S76As, one S76A++, and four BO105 CBS-4s. Additionally, we recently established an agreement with the Canadian Helicopter Company (CHC) to provide us with flexibility and extra equipment.

From your perspective, do you think Trinidad and Tobago is ready for increased activity in the oil and gas industry given the challenges of infrastructure?

In the past two years, we have seen an increase in exploration and drilling activity in Trinidad and Tobago’s waters, particularly on the northeast coast. We have seen great interest from new parties outside the country looking to explore Trinidad and Tobago’s oil and gas resources. Due to the number of clients we have already gained as a result of this interest, our two current check-in locations have outgrown the size of our operations. As a result, we plan to build a new terminal, a modern facility similar to one found in an international airport. We have already put plans in place to become a certified repair center for helicopters throughout the region, and will have hangars and workshops onsite for helicopters from Latin America to be repaired in Trinidad and Tobago. This new comprehensive heliport will be a new revenue stream to complement our current services and allow the helicopter transportation sector in the country to become more reliable.

What type of international presence and growth is NHSL pursuing?

On our agenda for this year, we are looking to attract foreign investment and provide services outside of Trinidad. We have been exploring opportunities in Guyana recently, where we had an operation in the 1990s with good reception. We have signed a contract with a local company and hope to be in operation there next year. We plan to set up an office in Guyana and have around two to three helicopters located there. The country is ready to become a big oil producing location, and we want to be there before the rush starts. We are confident in the potential of Guyana’s oil and gas resources, and we see it as a great opportunity for NHSL to expand its services.

Can you tell us about NHSL’s plans for international expansion?

NHSL has plans to attract foreign investment and expand its services outside of Trinidad and Tobago. We have been exploring opportunities in Guyana and have signed a contract with a local company. We will set up an office in Guyana and have two to three helicopters located there. Guyana is poised to become a significant oil-producing location, and we want to be there before the competition increases. We are confident in the vast potential of Guyana’s oil and gas resources.