Orga advises industry to act now on new offshore helideck lighting system

Following the successful installation of its innovative offshore helideck lighting system (Circle-H) on Centrica’s CPC-1 platform in Morecambe Bay, Orga starts the New Year with a new batch of orders and plans for its second installation on the cutting-edge, Prospector 1, jack-up rig in Invergordon.

Orga’s new Circle-H helideck touchdown and positioning lighting system, developed in collaboration with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), is designed to radically improve visibility for approaching pilots in all weather conditions.

Already proven to boost offshore helicopter safety, the UK CAA has moved to make Circle-H mandatory on all platforms in UK waters and has given the industry until 2018 to retrofit the new lighting to all offshore helidecks. Offering the only certified lighting system currently available, Orga understands the enormity of the task at hand and Daniel Powell, Orga’s product group manager, encourages the oil and gas industry to act now. “The industry doesn’t have the time to wait,” stresses Powell acknowledging the almost two-year cycle it takes for oil and gas companies to get budgets and engineering and logistics programmes in place for such a project. “Four years to retrofit the new lighting on all UK offshore helidecks is not that long a time,” he says. “And with some operators having nearly 50 helidecks to retrofit, the roll out needs to start now.”

While other helideck lighting systems may be available in late 2014, Powell is keen to point out that Orga is the only company that is able to accept orders now. “We already have orders in place for Circle-H installations in 2014. We’re ready and we’re able to deliver and install quickly Circle-H on all platforms in the UK North Sea. Considering the 2018 deadline, operators and duty holders should take full advantage of our current position,” he advises.

Powell is proud of the role that Orga has played in bringing this new concept of helideck lighting to production. He adds, “Orga worked extensively and closely with the UK CAA to develop Circle-H for improved offshore helideck safety. We are proud to be associated with a lighting system that will ultimately save lives.”

For more information, please contact
Cindy Jouvenaar Heskes, Communication Coordinator, Orga BV
T +31 10 208 5555
E c.jouvenaar@orga.nl

For more information, please also see www.orga-offshore.nl