First helicopter license granted to oil vessel

As Guyana moves towards first oil production, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Tuesday issued its first Helideck License for the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel.

The vessel, commonly referred to as Liza Destiny arrived in Guyana last week, the first of its kind to be brought into Guyana’s waters.

At a cost of G$250,000, the license was issued to TLC Guyana Inc. and is valid for one year.

The license is to facilitate helicopters flying to the Liza Destiny, transporting mainly passengers, goods and necessary equipment.

The Director of the GCAA Egbert Field handed over the license to the company, which was represented at the simple but historic ceremony by Mathiev Guiraud.

Mr. Field said among the 20 conditions of the license is the ability to fly to and from the helideck either day or night, including for medivac and other emergency purposes.

The operator will, however, need to ensure it is maintained in accordance with approved credentials and any changes in the physical characteristics of helideck shall not be made without prior approval. All safety and security arrangements are also the responsibility of the airdrome operator.

“We are happy to be in the forefront in the movement towards first oil,” Field said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Guiraud said this vessel’s arrival and subsequent issuing of a license may be the first but it is definitely not the last.

He is optimistic about the prospects ahead and was in high praise for the alacrity with which the GCAA has treated the issue.

On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Field told the News Room that already there is another vessel coming out of Chaguaramas for which inspection has been completed.

He said that is likely to be the second such vessel once the paperwork is successful.

He also hinted that the cost for the license, which currently stands at an annual cost of $250,000 is likely to increase in the future.

“As the oil flows, I’m sure we will be increasing that,” Field stated.