One of the leading offshore energy producers in the North Sea is dropping the Airbus Helicopters Super Puma for good. Statoil confirmed that it will no longer allow its workers to be transported in any derivative of the helicopter even though the EASA has cleared it for return to service in the wake of the fatal April 29 crash of an EC225LP near Turoy, Norway, that killed 11 Statoil workers and the CHC flight crew transporting them after the main rotor assembly separated from the helicopter in flight.
A company spokesman said Statoil will rely on Sikorsky S-92s. While the EASA cleared the Super Puma—the H225/EC225 and AS332L2—fleet for return to service on certain conditions, including replacement of the main planet gear and a more rigorous inspection regime for main gearbox oil filters, the cause of the accident remains under investigation and the helicopter remains grounded by aviation authorities in the UK and Norway.

Statoil said that even when these prohibitions are lifted, it will not go back to using the Super Puma. The company made the decision after oil workers' unios asked for a permanent ban on the helicopter.