- A new five-year forecast released today by Westwood Global Energy Group predicts a recovery in the offshore helicopter market after three years of decline.
- It expects offshore oil & gas helicopter expenditure to total $16bn over 2018-2022, growing at a one per cent CAGR over the period.
- This modest rate of recovery has been anticipated by the supply chain and helicopter operators have re-structured and re-organised.
- Westwood predicts notable changes in geographic focus, a preference for more efficient rotorcraft and new applications for helicopters in offshore renewable energy.
(Aberdeen, UK) – Wednesday, 6th December 2017 – Westwood Global Energy Group (Westwood), the energy market research consultancy, has published its annual World Offshore Helicopter Market Forecast, covering the period 2018-2022.
Despite a challenging few years, it still sees significant opportunities for the supply chain both in emerging geographies and in renewables.
Global helicopter fleet utilisation hit a low of 54 per cent in 2017 due to falling demand and increased supply from orders placed pre-downturn. Oil companies required fewer journeys offshore and as a result, many airframes were put into storage.
In the large helicopter segment, the grounding of the H225 in 2016 resulted in a switch to other rotorcrafts. While restrictions are now lifted, future utilisation in this segment will influence market recovery and is dependent on operator preferences for the >100 units that are presently not in use.
Looking forward, Westwood predicts global utilisation to pick up to an average of 59 per cent for the medium and large helicopter fleet. It expects growth to come from new frontiers such as the Mediterranean, East Africa and Guyana rather than traditional deep-water areas of activity (Nigeria, Angola, US Gulf of Mexico and Brazil). This geographic expansion will require new bases being set up and the re-allocation of un-utilised units.
The offshore wind market also offers a significant opportunity for helicopter operators, with almost 6,000 turbines to be installed globally over 2018-2022 bringing the global total to 10,000 by forecast-end. Westwood expects $119m of offshore wind related helicopter expenditure over the forecast, with a CAGR of 39 per cent.
Steve Robertson, Head of OFS Research at Westwood Global Energy Group comments: “It’s clear from the figures that future demand growth for helicopter transfers will come increasingly from outside Western Europe from areas such as the Middle East and Latin America, as well as from renewables.
“We don’t expect any great rebound in headcount in oil & gas production, and in drilling we predict 9,896 offshore wells to be drilled over the period, 12 per cent less than between 2013-2017. All of this will decrease passenger transfer demand.
“The Middle East is a key hotspot for helicopter operations in the coming five years with a 20 per cent increase in overall activity between 2018 and 2022. In Latin America, activity has nearly halved during the downturn, but will rebound quickly, primarily driven by activity in Brazil.
“Growth opportunities also exist elsewhere, particularly in offshore wind business. As the next generation of projects becomes commercially competitive and developers build further from shore, clusters of projects will likely share infrastructure and logistics. Helicopter operators that get in early will benefit from this future growth.”
The fourth annual Westwood World Offshore Helicopter Market Forecast contains an asset-by-asset analysis of the sector with extensive industry interviews with helicopter manufacturers, owners, managers, operators and leasing contractors to give a complete evaluation of current sector activity and expected development of the market. It is aimed at private equity firms, operators, manufacturers and anyone looking to invest or divest in this market.
To purchase a copy visit: http://www.douglas-westwood.com/report/oil-and-gas/world-offshore-helicopters-market-forecast-2018-2022/
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Notes to Editors
About Westwood Global Energy Group (Westwood)
Westwood Global Energy Group is a leading provider of research, data analytics and consulting services to the global energy industry. Whilst we focus primarily on intelligence and insight for the worldwide exploration and oilfield services markets, our coverage also extends to the offshore renewables and power generation markets. Our analysis is independent, comprehensive and based on deep sector knowledge.
Westwood Global Energy was formed in January 2015 by Energy Ventures, an energy specialist private equity firm with a vision to build a leading player in the business intelligence and data analytics space. Following an active period of acquisitions, the group has combined the operations of Hannon Westwood, Richmond Energy Partners, Novas Consulting, Douglas-Westwood, Energent Group Software LLC, and JSI Services. Westwood Global Energy Group is headquartered in Aberdeen and has offices in London, Houston and Singapore.
To learn more, please visit www.westwoodenergy.com
