The Teal Group released a 10-year rotorcraft market forecast that shows civil turbine helicopter deliveries slowly recovering and exceeding their 2008 peak in 2018 before reaching a demand plateau. Overall, Teal predicts that 10,300 new civil turbine helicopters worth $60.3 billion will enter service between 2013 and 2022.

According to the forecast, Eurocopter will stay in the number-one position in terms of billings, with AgustaWestland hot on its heels. Bell, in the number-three spot, is anticipated to outsell Sikorsky.

Demand is driven by high oil prices and a growing need for transportation to offshore rigs, Teal aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia said. On the supply side, he noted “a proliferation of super-medium twin-engine models entering service in the coming years.” Each of the big four manufacturers has a development program in that segment.

Even if oil prices stay high, there are legitimate concerns about overcapacity, Aboulafia asserted. The only civil turbine helicopters expected to exceed 1,000 deliveries over the 2013 to 2022 time frame are two light singles: the Eurocopter AS350/EC130 Ecureuil and Robinson R66.