A heavy-lift helicopter, which is capable of lifting at least 1,800kg out of ground, effect is required for most site-equipment operations. The operator will usually have to select commercial aircraft, which are not designed specifically for the oil and gas industry and modify them accordingly.
Weight stripping is usually essential and it is not unusual to see holes in the instrument panel after "non-essential" instruments and one of the two batteries have been removed. The aircraft's centre of gravity needs to be addressed after this. One aircraft in recent operation over hostile terrain carried a solitary flare as the only signaling equipment. There was no emergency-locator transmitter, heliograph mirror, water, machete or torch.
Source: Flight International