HOUSTON, TX April 28, 2014 -- Bristow Group, which operates the largest fleet of commercial helicopters in the world for offshore transport to oil and gas platforms, will appear for the first time at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2014. Visitors to Bristow’s air-conditioned booth #917 will have a first-time glimpse of the newest Sikorsky aircraft, the advanced technology S-76D™ helicopter, and the SSP HUB, one of a line of proprietary floating platform designs for the offshore oil and gas industry developed by SSP Offshore.

Bristow Group will host a media luncheon on Monday, May 5, 2014, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Media are welcome to climb through and take photos of the helicopter and ask questions of two speakers: a Bristow training captain, who will share insights into the life of an offshore helicopter pilot, and a Sikorsky technical expert on the S-76D™ aircraft. Representatives of SSP Offshore will be available to talk about the SSP HUB that will facilitate personnel transport to deeper water platforms. With oil and gas exploration moving farther offshore, the SSP HUB is a revolutionary offshore logistics base that offers a very stable floating platform with flotel and emergency accommodation capabilities.

On Wednesday, May 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sharpstown High School students will come for a tour of the helicopter. These students are in a math/science program to which Bristow contributes support as part of its corporate social responsibility program, Bristow Uplift. Media are welcome to visit and take photos throughout the week.

Explore the Sikorsky S-76D
Sikorsky recently delivered the first fully configured S-76D™ helicopter to. The helicopter is the latest in the long line of highly successful S-76® commercial aircraft. In 2013, the S-76D helicopter achieved FAA certification for offshore oil operations. This certification increases the helicopter’s maximum gross weight to 11,875 pounds and allows up to 12 passengers for operations in the offshore oil configuration. Bristow Group currently operates more than 100 Sikorsky helicopters.

Learn about a new concept in offshore logistics
The SSP HUB is a revolutionary offshore logistics base that utilizes the exceptional motion and inherent stability characteristics of the SSP PLUS design in a new commercial application, delivering unique functionality that combines safe and efficient high-volume personnel transport capabilities in a protected environment without reliance on gangways, flotel and emergency accommodation capability, and full offshore supply base capacity for fluids and other materials. Target markets for the SSP HUB are the new deepwater developments throughout the world located further offshore that create significant logistics challenges for conventional service offerings.