News

Brazil’s leading state-owned oil production and exploration company, Petrobras/Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. has again extended its consultancy contract with Lufthansa Consulting (LCG).  The recently signed third contract extension acknowledges the successful cooperation of the two companies to date and reaffirms Petrobras’ confidence in the abilities of the German firm of aviation management consultants.

Lufthansa Consulting has supported the company and its transport division since 2004 as their main technical advisor for the implementation of all relevant aviation safety activities.

For Petrobras’ maritime operations, the air transport of its offshore workforce is a strong support area for the exploration and production operation. Almost 70 helicopters owned by different operators are contracted by Brazil’s national oil company to support exploration and production, mainly in the Campos Basin, operating between Macaé and the offshore platforms. Helicopter operations are also conducted along the Brazilian coastline and in the Amazon region logistic support for the oil and gas installations is provided by fixed-wing aircraft as well as by helicopter operations.

Under terms of the present contract, which is scheduled to run until September 2009, LCG's consultants will focus on the implementation plan for improving off- and onshore helicopter operations. A range of activities has been duly launched. These include:

• establishing an Aviation Competence Center within Petrobras
• improving safety standards through the development of new manuals (safety and quality, flight operations, maintenance and ground operations, as well as emergency planning), which will form part of the official contracts in the near future
• conducting a broad-based aviation safety management initiative aimed at developing regional safety cases for helicopter and fixed-wing operators and Petrobras’ transport division
• Performing a set of audit to the contracted operators

Lufthansa Consulting is confident that Petrobras will achieve its target in the field of aviation safety, particularly in view of the existing high safety culture in the oil & gas industry. LCG’s expert team will furthermore give its best to help attain this goal and continue the long-lasting, fruitful relationship with the distinguished Brazilian company.