HOUSTON, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, announced today that it has secured several major new multi-year contracts for the provision of a total of 20 large aircraft that are expected to generate in excess of $2 billion in revenue.

In Europe, Bristow has been particularly successful with a number of wins including:

• Extension of an existing contract in Norway for four S-92 large helicopters that is expected to start in September 2014 for a further seven-year term with the option for an additional five-year extension, 
• New contract award for the provision of Norway search and rescue (SAR) services using three new Eurocopter EC225 helicopters that is expected to commence in September 2014 for a period of five years with the option for an additional five-year extension, and
• New contract award for one S-92 helicopter in the UK North Sea that commenced work in July 2012 and one EC225 helicopter that is scheduled to start work in August 2012 for a minimum of two years.

In Australia, INPEX has awarded Bristow a ten-year contract for up to six EC225 helicopters to support drilling, development and production operations on the Ichthys Project.  INPEX also has an option to add a long term SAR aircraft.  This new contract is scheduled to begin in 2014 and reinforces our long term commitment to the Australian market. 

William E. Chiles, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased with our recent commercial successes, which extend and enhance the pricing and terms of existing contracts and add new high-value long term contracts, for both crew change and SAR services.  These contracts strengthen our position with key customers in several of our targeted growth areas. Our Client Promise initiative incorporating our unique Target Zero Accidents, Zero Downtime and Zero Complaints programs is becoming a clear differentiator in our industry, and we are pleased that our clients are recognizing the added-value of this initiative."

In Brazil, Lider has been awarded five-year contracts by Petrobras for five Sikorsky S-92 large helicopters. One of these aircraft is leased to Lider by Bristow and is scheduled to start work in August 2012, and the remaining four aircraft are scheduled to commence work by April 2013.

Mark Duncan, Senior Vice President Commercial, added, "These multiple new contract awards with better pricing and terms than in the past are part of the increase in demand we predicted.  Our focus on providing clients the safest, most reliable and best service has positioned us well for further profitable growth as the market continues to strengthen."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLOSURE

Statements contained in this news release state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected revenues, commencement dates, the impact of activity levels, business performance, and market and industry conditions.  It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.  Bristow Group Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC.

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Trinidad. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.bristowgroup.com.

Linda McNeill
Investor Relations
(713) 267-7622

SOURCE Bristow Group Inc.