Bracewell Represents Bristow Group Inc. in Merger With Era Group Inc.

HOUSTON — Bracewell LLP is representing Bristow Group Inc. as co-counsel in an all-stock merger. Bristow will combine with Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) pursuant to a definitive merger agreement announced on January 24, 2020.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2020, following receipt of required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, including approval by Bristow’s and Era’s stockholders. At closing, existing Bristow shareholders will own 77 percent of the equity of the combined company, which will be named Bristow, and Era shareholders will own 23 percent. Following the completion of the transaction, the combined company will be headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Bristow is a Houston-based provider of offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, and aircraft support services to government and civil organizations. Bristow’s global fleet supports operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the US Gulf of Mexico, as well as in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guyana and Trinidad.

Era is a Houston-based helicopter operator, serving as a helicopter transport operator in the United States and providing helicopters and related services in other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Spain and Suriname. Era’s helicopters are used to transport personnel to, from and between offshore oil and gas production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. The helicopters are also used to perform emergency response services, firefighting, utility, VIP transport and other services.

Bracewell lawyers involved in the transaction include:

Partners: Lytch T. Gutmann, Troy L. Harder, Jason B. Hutt and Jeffery B. Vaden

Associates: Kate Barrington McGregor, Andrew W. Monk and Kevin M. Voelkel