KUALA LUMPUR: Weststar-GAP Aviation LDA, a joint venture between Timor GAP-Timor Gas Petroleo, EP, and Weststar Aviation Timor, Unipessoal, LDA, has secured a helicopter transportation services contract with an Australian energy company Santos NA (19-12) Pty Ltd worth US$40 million or RM175.6 million.
In a statement today, Weststar Aviation Group said the agreement solidifies Weststar’s position as a leading provider of offshore helicopter services in the region.
"Operations under this contract are set to commence on Feb 1, 2025.
"The contract, structured for an initial 12-month period with options for two six-month extensions, will provide helicopter transportation services supporting Santos’s offshore operations in the Bayu-Undan region,” it said.
The group said this agreement marks a critical milestone in Weststar-GAP’s broader strategy to enhance offshore aviation services in Timor-Leste, with prospective growth into the Greater Sunrise field to support ENI and Sunda Gas.
"The total potential value of Weststar-GAP’s projected project pipeline over the next 10 years is estimated to exceed US$400 million (US$1=RM4.39), demonstrating the substantial long-term opportunities arising from this collaboration,” it said.
To fulfil this contract, it explained that Weststar-GAP will deploy two state-of-the-art Leonardo AW189 helicopters renowned for their superior performance and reliability in offshore environments.
It said these aircraft will be dedicated to crew change and Medevac (medical evacuation) standby services, operating between Dili, Timor-Leste, and Darwin, Australia, under the Malaysian (9M) aircraft registration, fully compliant with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) regulations.
"This initiative not only underscores Malaysia’s aviation excellence on the global stage but also strengthens regional aviation cooperation,” it said.
Meanwhile, Weststar Group’s group managing director Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim said the company is fully committed to developing Timor-Leste’s aviation capabilities.
"Through comprehensive training programmes and skill enhancement initiatives, we aim to empower local talent and contribute to the country’s aviation self-sufficiency,” he said.
According to the statement, Weststar-GAP Aviation directors, Syed Muhammad Azni Syed Azman and Vicente da Costa Pinto, signed the agreement on behalf of the company.
Representing Santos were executive vice-president for Western Australia, Northern Australia, and Timor-Leste Vince Santostefano and vice-president of upstream gas and liquids for Western Australia, Northern Australia, and Timor-Leste Marcie Evans.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by key government and industry leaders, including Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Timor-Leste Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Francisco da Costa Monteiro. - Bernama
