The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) and HeliOffshore, the global offshore helicopter industry association, strengthened today their cooperation with the aim of increasing helicopter safety, a top priority for both industries.

The two organizations signed a reciprocal membership agreement today which formalises a collaboration that began in October 2014, when offshore helicopter operators established HeliOffshore, a global entity now with 102 members.

Commenting on the agreement, Gordon Ballard, IOGP’s Executive Director, said: “Safe helicopter operations are vital for IOGP members and their people who work offshore around the world. With this reciprocal agreement, we have an even greater opportunity to contribute to enhancing the safety of offshore helicopter operations – which benefits everyone who travels offshore.”

HeliOffshore Chief Executive Officer, Gretchen Haskins, said industry-wide alignment behind well-defined priorities is already enhancing safety.

“Together with IOGP, we are committed to a shared goal: that no lives are lost due to offshore helicopter transportation,” Mrs. Haskins said.

“IOGP is a crucial participant in our global safety programme, which is giving people at the front line of the offshore helicopter industry the enhanced tools, training, and support they need to deliver safe operations, every day. This agreement enables increased levels of collaboration between the offshore helicopter industry and the oil and gas operators our members serve,” she said.

Representatives of both associations have defined a set of shared priorities and are working together on actions that will enhance safety in the future.

The safety programme is focused on improving the reliability and resilience of systems, increasing operational effectiveness, and ensuring that safety is at the centre of the working environment.

The new agreement builds on previous collaboration between the helicopter and offshore industries. This included work to prevent wrong deck landings, promote global aviation standards, and enhance training. That collaboration was also instrumental in delivering best practice for helicopter health and usage monitoring systems.

In May, HeliOffshore members and representatives of the oil and gas industry committed to accelerate the implementation of enhanced terrain warning systems, for delivery by the end of 2017.

Both organizations look forward to a continued collaboration for safety.