Bristow recently completed a two-year contract involving a Eurocopter AS332L in the Baltic Sea for ENI Saipem. Capt. Rosh Jaypalan shares his experience during the contract and talks about the commitment, dedication and effort required to achieve success.

Bristow’s International Business Unit (IBU) provided an AS332L for crew change and medevac services for the Castoro Sei pipelaying vessel operated by ENI Saipem. The vessel was tasked with laying two gas pipelines as part of a major project involving five companies.

The pipelines, running from Vyborg, Russia to Greifswald, Germany, are the longest subsea pipelines in the world at nearly 760 miles. From April 2010 to May 2012, as the Castoro Sei traveled the length of the Baltic Sea numerous times, Bristow’s job was to move its base accordingly to provide the best-possible support.

“You can be proud of the team you have, with each and every one very professional.
I hope we all meet up again.”
– Stella Gillanders, Logistics Coordinator,
ENI Saipem

The decision of where to base the aircraft was made with the client’s requirements in mind, taking into account the range and payload criteria of the AS332L. Saipem was very satisfied with the flexibility that the AS332L offered.

We based in Bornholm, Denmark when the southern section of the pipe was being laid, in Visby, Sweden for the central section and Turku, Finland for the northern section. In Bornholm, we had the longest and coldest winter in 14 years, with snow up to 20 feet deep in places, in January 2011. Summer in Visby meant beaches and barbecues, and Turku was busy with shows and concerts as it was named the European City of Culture.

EFFICIENT, SEAMLESS OPERATIONS

The Bristow team became quite efficient at moving from base to base. We were able to move the complete operation – aircraft, spares, workshops, offices, planning rooms, check-in and security facilities — within one day and keep our promise to the client.

The team constantly changed as IBU staff members were needed to work on other contracts. Assistance from the European Business Unit (EBU) during the early part of the contract was greatly appreciated and a good example of employees from different working environments being flexible and seamlessly working together.

All of the pilots and engineers involved had a part to play in the success of this operation, and feedback indicates Bristow is in a good position with regards to future contracts with ENI Saipem.

Editor – Initially an 18 month contract, this was extended to about 24 months.  See original story at Bristow AS332 starts 18 month Baltic Sea contract