Ongc Plans Copter Deal With Azhar Air

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plans to tie up with Azhar Airlines from Azerbaijan for three Bell choppers to normalise its offshore operations at Bombay High. The corporation is awaiting the civil aviation authorities nod for speedy clearance to move to and fro its manpower from offshore.

The corporation has already forwarded a letter of offer to the airline authorities of the CIS country to arrange for helicopters each having a seating arrangement for 12-15 persons to regularise its work shift schedule. Even if all the three helicopters are pressed into action, it would take at least 15 days to normalise operations at Bombay High, sources say.

 

ONGC has been facing problems with erratic flights for the past two years since pilots with the Pawan Hans Ltd struck work five times. However, the situation has worsened following a deadlock between the Pawan Hans management and Pilots Guild.

Since November 27, Pawan Hans has been forced to suspend flights to and fro Bombay offshore disrupting ONGCs work shift schedule and production. The corporation has already sent feelers to Azhar Airlines on the mode of payment for servicing and leasing out its choppers. Sources indicate that the airlines will have a fixed monthly cost for operating the fleet while shelling out money for actual flying hours.

With no personnel movement, ONGC has been forced to hire ships for man-management and maintenance. It has also sought aid from private airlines like Mesco to move its staff. Currently, two helicopters are being operated during the day, while one is kept as a stand-by for emergencies.

Last week, ONGC turned to Enron to provide medical aid for one of its staffers at high seas. Enron moved the ailing staffer in a chopper stationed at its Panna oil field, sources add.

The corporation is apprising the ministry of petroleum and natural gas of falling maintenance of its oil and water wells daily. Considering there is no inter-platform movement at Bombay offshore for servicing, the corporation is loosing over 5,000 barrels of oil per day. ONGC produces 3.7 lakh barrels of oil per day under normal circumstances.

At $ 18 per barrel, ONGC has put its cumulative loss at $ 1.4 million as it has lost 16 days of production (5,000 barrels per day).

The corporation is awaiting the civil aviation authorities nod for speedy clearance to move to and fro its manpower from offshore