Thirteen Dead in Statoil Helicopter Crash

The Norwegian police have confirmed that 13 people on board the CHC helicopter on assignment for Statoil are now feared dead. The helicopter was en route from Gullfaks B to Bergen and crashed outside Turøy in Fjell municipality outside Bergen on Friday.

“Today, we have been hit by a terrible tragedy, one of the most severe helicopter accidents in the history of the Norwegian oil industry, said Sigve Nylund, Statoil’s executive vice president Development & Production Norway. 

“More than anything, our thoughts are now with those who have lost their loved ones, and an entire industry extends its sympathy to them. We will now do everything we can to give them our support and assistance. The deceased were employed in different companies, but they were all on a mission for Statoil.” 

The 11 passengers are employed in the following companies: Halliburton, Aker Solutions, Schlumberger, Welltec, Karsten Moholt and Statoil. The two pilots are employed by CHC. One of the 13 is a Statoil employee. 

On Saturday, Statoil’s president and CEO, Eldar Sætre, and executive vice president Development & Production Norway, Arne Sigve Nylund, will visit a center set up for next of kin in Bergen.

Production at Gullfaks B has been temporarily shut down, and emergency personnel have been sent out to assist those on board. 

Statoil has temporarily grounded all equivalent traffic helicopters.