During the last three years there has been an expansion and diversification of services, as well as an increase in the civilian fleet. Services provided by the helicopter service companies now include oil exploration, pipeline control, electric transmission line control, sling load operations, photo and mapping missions, tourism, fisheries, aerial ambulance work, police missions, pilot training and executive transport. Approximately ten units are privately owned and used. The use of helicopter in agricultural work has decreased, largely replaced by fixed wing aircraft and ultralights. In all these activities only few units are dedicated to specific tasks.
Operators attempt to be flexible and to offer their aircraft for as many objectives as possible.
A recent development will greatly contribute to expand services. The petroleum industry, once the domain of state, now permits foreign as well as private domestic oil exploration and development. This development will also cause the construction of new pipelines, power lines, roads and other infrastructure. The present fleet is slightly over 200 units, but observers feel it is insufficient and it might double in the near future. This can open a market for U.S. operators to form joint ventures with local companies for specific contracts or to sell used units.