| Description | Tape 1 Side A ANDREW PATTERSON ARMSTRONG born 14 August 1929, Lanarkshire. Background to names. Younger brother died of meningitis when young. Paternal family: grandfather, Robert, manager of town gas company. Details. Father a civil servant in Customs & Excise. Grandmother, Margaret. Father one of eight. Recalls formalities in family, clothing. Mentions own later involvement in doing away with town gas. Reference to old Aberdeen gasometers. Maternal family: Mother from Country Antrim. Grandfather a provision merchant (grocer). Recalls helping in shop. Grandmother killed in car accident 1927. Reference to Ballymena Observer, Willy John McBride, rugby. Both grandfathers directors of Cooperative Society. Details. Recalls Glasgow to Belfast ferry trip, German bombing. Details re grandfather's shop, smell of bacon, ration books, incident with customer; Ballymena, Scots borders accents. Learned not to be a snob. Mentions going to Glasgow Academy, life in farming community. Describes childhood Glasgow home, comfortable Hillhead flat. Describes father, his attitude to work, interest in history, heraldry, work as Customs officer. Mentions wartime security. Reference to Clyde River Patrol, antisubmarine boom. Describes father's personality, relationship with him. Parents retired to Northern Ireland. Mentions Irish troubles. Describes mother, compares with self. Place of religion in family, involvement in church youth group. Explains moments of doubt, later growth of faith. Mentions alcohol in family, effect on self, occupational hazard in father's job. Recalls discipline in childhood. No corporal punishment. Father worked in London during war, family moved there. Recalls Chamberlain's broadcast, air raid siren, return to Glasgow. Details re accommodation. Mentions telephone difficulties during war, blackouts, rail travel to London, troop trains. Effect of father being away, relationship with mother.
Side B
Moral influence of parents, church, elderly priest who had played rugby for Scotland. Boyhood interests included football, rugby, running, tennis. Details re role in rugby team. Early interest in theatre, cinema. Mentions continuous cinema showings, radio, Tommy Handley, ITMA (It's That Man Again), continuing fondness for black and white films. Interested in ballet. Lifelong interest in amateur acting. Details. Explains feelings about Shakespeare, Noel Coward. Mentions own state of health. Details re early schooling. Reference to Holyrood, Westcliff Schools, Glasgow Academy. Religious situation in Ireland, Glasgow, Aberdeen. Recalls visitors in childhood, high tea, drinks. Relationship with father. Father a cricketer. Details re Glasgow Academy. Feelings about single-sex schools, relationships with girls. Had group of friends, lifelong friendships. Details. Reference to UNRA. No sex education at school. Importance of school years, army cadet force requirement. Details re 'public' schools. Recalls experience as house monitor and prefect, corporal punishment, teachers during war, influence of English teachers, enjoyment of John Buchan, liking for reading. Details re progress in different subjects, career possibilities. Politics - parents both Conservatives. Refusal of rector to allow Labour candidate in school mock election. Recalls own reaction to Labour win, attitude to Churchill, hearing him speak. Compares leadership situation in 1945 and now, impact of King and Queen. Recalls pride in being British. Comments on own situation then, attitudes to class differences in society, army. Importance of Churchill. Applied to go to London School of Economics. Details. Impact of demobilisation on availability of jobs. Did short degree in Glasgow in politics and economics before doing National Service. Explains value of university experience.
Side A
Comments on formation of own speech, influence of radio, involvement in BBC Children's Hour serials etc. Mentions Aunty Kathleen, Gordon Jackson, Ricky Fulton. Details re audition, studio, accents, rehearsals, live broadcasts, roles played. Reference to Angus McVicar. Attitude to fee, money. Possibility of career in broadcasting. Reference to Wilson Barrett repertory company, evacuation of St Kilda. Significance of early work experience to work in oil industry. Background to sitting Civil Service executive exam, result, appointment to Admiralty. Called up for National Service, posted to Army, Lanarkshire Regiment. Recalls training programme, relationship with others, writing letters for friend. Mentions Glasgow expression 'jings'. Details re other recruits, language problems. Reference to Gaelic language, Shetland. Selected for commission; problem with black-leading poisoning. Explains commission, through WOSB (War Office Selection Board), with pay services. Details re training. Mentions Regimental Sergeant Major Britton. Posted to Devizes, joined training team. Under pressure to stay in Army. Father infantry officer in trenches in First World War. Details. Reference to Allenby, Palestine. Reason for taking short service commission. Feelings about Guards Officers, class division in Army. Own attitude to socialism, Labour, Liberal, Conservatives, Thatcher. Reference to Scottish Battalion. After National Service spent time with SAS (Special Air Services). Mentions influence of commanding officer, 'Nipper' Rees, in taking regular commission. Recalls Commission Board, aptitude tests. Value of own presentation skills. Recalls SAS role in Japan, Korea, Malaya. Reference to CT (communist terrorists), New Zealand squadron, Major John Rennie, Captain Boswell. Own role as paymaster. Went into jungle, took parachute course at Changi Air Force station. Reference to red beret. Attitude to physical danger.
Side B
Attitude to danger. Feelings about swimming. Details re parachute training. Mentions tree-jumping, (abseiling). Took finance and accountancy course. Relationship with SAS people. Reference to John Slim, Field Marshall Slim, General George Lee, General Wingate, homosexuality. Details re contact with New Zealanders, Corporal Wood, a runner. Own involvement in running. Sent to regimental office in Halifax, became Sports Officer. Appointed Adjutant at Devizes. Reference to Japan. Recalls involvement with dramatic productions, church in Kuala Lumpur, other nationalities involved. Details re meeting with wife when children, her work as nurse, midwife. She joined Queen Alexandra Nursing Corps, worked in British Zone in Berlin, dealt with Rudolf Hess. Reference to motorway between Berlin and West Germany. Details re marriage in Glasgow. Reference to Bishop Bruce. Details re children. Summary of Army career. Reference to Army Staff College, Camberley, Military Intelligence. Promotion prospects in Army. Details re work, responsibilities as Adjutant in Devizes. Explains own style of management and command in Army, oil industry. Background to selection for Staff College 1961, competition to get in. Birth rate at Staff College. Details re course, visiting lecturers. Impression of Field Marshall Montgomery, his expression 'I wouldn't go into the jungle with him'. Reference to Mao Tse Tung; Nigerian later shot in Nigeria; John Slim. Recalls visit to Normandy battlefields. Played leading part in Staff College pantomime. Appointed to Military Intelligence, War Office, London, responsible for Indonesia, later Russian army logistics. Explains work. Reference to MI5. Recalls Russian Petrovsky spy trial, fear of Russian breakthrough to Channel coast. Explains daily work in Intelligence, supply of information, regular reporting, manual writing re Russians.
Side A
Intelligence work (cont'd). Details re association with French intelligence, attitude of Americans to security of intelligence. Involved in contacts with French. Explains grading system of intelligence. Mentions Staff College training for work, security procedures. Mentions Burgess and McLean, leaks. Appointed Staff Paymaster, 16 Parachute Brigade, Cyprus during United Nations tour. Details. Reference to Archbishop Makarios. Details re family situation, birth of daughter, her condition. Security situation in Cyprus. Sent to Aldershot 1964-6. Para Brigade regarded as elite. Sent to Bahrain, Malta. Feelings about staying in Army, situation re daughter. Next staff appointment to Edinburgh Castle as DAQMG (Deputy Adjutant Quartermaster General). Details. Family situation. Details re daughter's artificial arm. Reference to Great Ormond Street, Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh. Comments on Army approach to administration etc. Post-Army opportunities. Appointed Executive Officer to 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games organisation. Reference to Christchurch Games. Details re position, resignation from Army 1968. Describes social life in Army, feelings about it, wife's situation. Joined church in Edinburgh. Explains issues involved in Games organisation, costs. Mentions 1970 general election. Comments on Edward Heath. Reference to Harold Wilson. Recalls first awareness of North Sea oil industry, early Dutch sponsor from Shell, his forecasts re industry possibilities. People didn't believe in possibility of oil. Significance of BP Forties Field. Possibility of Dundee involvement in oil industry, reasons for industry going to Aberdeen. Mentions critical helicopter flight-range, corruption in Dundee. Describes Dyce Airport at the time, frequency of flights to London. Details re 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. Reference to Peter Heatley, swimming, Robert Maxwell, the Queen.
Side B
1970 Commonwealth Games (cont'd). Details re organisation. Background to appointment, 1971, to Total Oil Marine (Compagnie Francaise de Petrole, CFP) as Administration Representative, later Administration Manager. Details re Total, interviews for job. Mentions SNP (Scottish National Party) situation at time, French anxieties. Office in Princes Street, Edinburgh. Regular trips to Paris. Reference to Indonesia. Recalls paternalistic culture of Total. Mentions Jean-Marie de Manche, District (UK) Manager, Aberdeen, his interest in social activities. Recalls amount of money spent by industry, hierarchy in Total European Zone. North Sea Zone formed 1974. Own relationship with French in Total. Later given award. Arrogance of young French graduates, way of dealing with this. Attitude of American drilling companies, problems with them. Mentions initial secretiveness of French. Attitude of Total to other companies. Biggest problem was with Elf. Details re Frigg gas field, Norwegian trench. Reference to St Fergus Gas Terminal; Alwyn Field. Compares Elf, Total cultures. Explains North Sea auditing situation. Reference to Department of Energy; Scottish Office; possibility of Scottish independence; Quebec situation. Comments on Scottish, English, Welsh, Irish situations. Feelings about anglicized Scots, anti-English feelings in Scotland. Reference to rugby, New Zealand. Mentions different law in Scotland. Own feelings re English/Scottish relationship, Scottish Parliament. Came to Aberdeen because of Frigg Field. Explains. Details re Frigg. Reference to BP, Conoco. Mentions government, local authority commitments, formation of UKOOA (UK Offshore Operators' Association). Changes in Aberdeen house values. French, American attitude to housing purchase, concern re ghettos. Mentions American school, Cults. Details re French schooling in Aberdeen. Reference to Mission Laique. Reaction of Aberdonians, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, Maitland Mackie.
Side A
Attitude of Aberdeen businesses to oil industry, concern re people on fixed incomes. Reference to Maitland Mackie, Ian Wood. Compares attitudes of Aberdeen University, RGIT (Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology). Reference to Peter Clark, David Kennedy, Bill Stevely, Principals; RGIT; Frank McIntosh. Mentions courses set up at RGIT, Alec Kemp. House market went through sky 1975-6. Details re Total land purchases in Aberdeen, St Fergus, enquiries, public meetings, need to reassure locals. Expectation that industry would last 5 years. Explains importance of showing intention to be part of community, eg in St Fergus. Reference to Crimond. Details re Total donations to community, response to awkward questions from public. Compares attitude of Scots, English to French. Mentions Franco-Scottish, Franco-English Societies, activities. Reference to old alliance. French confusion between English, Scots. Total Head Office in London. Attitude of Philip Jones, first Chairman. Family situation in Aberdeen, wife's involvement in bridge (cards). Relationship with British Gas, their attitude to French oil company. Reference to Sir Denis Rooke. Working relationships good in Aberdeen. Compares French, British attitudes to engineers. Development of Frigg Field, discovered 1971, on stream 1978. Mentions laying of pipeline, development of MCP-01 unmanned platform. Recalls night of Piper Alpha disaster, lack of information. Family situation in Aberdeen. Outside work, involved in community. Reference to Chamber of Commerce. Details re Rotary. Mentions involvement in theatrical activities, Lady Aberdeen, Haddo House Trust. Details re involvement with OPITO, (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation), Montrose Fire Training Centre, RGIT. Family activities, routines eg Sunday lunch, Dr Who television programme. Work routines. Problems with St Fergus and offshore staff family situations.
Side B
Mentions visit to United States. Importance for company getting involved with community, difficulty for French companies in London. Reference to la vieille alliance between France and Scotland. Agricultural etc situation surrounding building of St Fergus Gas Terminal, 1970s. Details re contributions to local community. Details re Managing Director, Rene Gourgillion, Jean-Marie de Manche. Reference to Maitland Mackie. Recalls early contact with Lady Aberdeen (June Gordon), Haddo choral society. Mentions Lady Aberdeen's musical friends, her Trust. Details re Royal Family, Prince Edward's acting roles. Opinion of Royal Family, their changing situation. Comments on Queen, Duke of Edinburgh. Feelings about monarchy. Recalls visits of royals to Haddo performances. Explains social process of freezing people out, own experience. Recalls regular visits to Haddo by Princess Margaret, her attitudes, conversation with her. Further comments on Royal Family over the years, experience with Queen. Mentions Royal Yacht Britannia, Millennium Dome. Explains situation at Haddo, being accepted or not, changing attitude of visitors. Lady Aberdeen Patron, Chairman of Friends of Aberdeen Youth Festival. Details re festival. Mentions South African situation. Total company involvement in sponsorship. Compares political situation in Aberdeen with Glasgow, Edinburgh; city attitudes. Mentions own involvement in sponsorships, eg Youth International Football Festival. Reference to Alec Ferguson. Details re Aberdeen football successes, decision to build first all-seated stadium in British professional football. Details re Total sponsorship, own involvement. Total budget decided annually. Explains process. Total always had a French Managing Director. Explains decision-making processes in Total. Recalls fights with people in London, attitude there to Aberdeen.
Side A
Recalls Bill Foster, Personnel Manager, attitude in London towards Aberdeen. Compares community involvement of Total in Aberdeen with that of BP, Shell. Attitude of American companies. Mentions Hamilton Brothers. Recalls involvement in staff training. Mentions pioneering aspect of work, technical issues in North Sea, implications of work routines. Recalls shortage of skilled technicians. Importance of provision of safety training. Involvement of Total and self and other companies in Fire Training Centre, Montrose, Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Board (OPITO). Details re fire safety training now. BP, Shell were leaders in industry. Explains. Appointed first Chair of OPITO, also Chair of Montrose centre. Reference to Department of Energy, Health & Safety Executive. Comments on recurring shortage of technicians. Recalls time when oil was sexy industry. Impact of Piper Alpha disaster on recruitment, attitude of wives. Mentions women working offshore, Cullen Report. Details re fire and other safety courses for offshore workers, helicopter safety courses. Explains involvement with RGIT (Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology). Attitude of oil industry to safety, attitude of Americans, French. Recalls Industry Training Board, participants including unions, relationship with unions, industry attitude. Reference to UKOOA (UK Offshore Operators' Association), OILC (Offshore Industry Liaison Committee). Details re Chaplaincy, difficulties re Episcopalians, compares with union situation. Details re working time, commitments, chairmanship of RGIT, attitude of company to community involvement. Details re change of RGIT to university status, complications, meeting with Scottish Secretary, tasks involved, installation of Sir Bob Reid as Chancellor. Explains hierarchy in university. Mentions Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor, Edinburgh University. Details re own changing responsibilities in Total. Background re Robert Gordon's School, RGIT.
Side B
Dates of community activities. Invited to join Scotvec (Scottish Vocational Education Council, now Scottish Qualifications Board (Authority). Explains feelings re need for vocational opportunities, recognition of this. Mentions oil industry. Comments on change to university status of vocational institutions. Details re work with Scotvec, links with Glasgow, Scotvec courses. Attitude to women in workplace. Recalls 'milk-round' of universities getting staff, increasing numbers of women engineers, influence of women offshore, attitude to having them offshore. Compares French, British, Norwegian attitudes. Asked to be Scottish representative on NCBQ. Reference to GCVQ. Mentions difference between English/Scottish education systems. Explains own negative feelings re running of NCBQ. Role of Scottish Examination Board. Amalgamation of Scotvec and SEB. Explains reservations about this, working of organisation, resulting problems. Reference to Donald Dewar, David Miller. Comments on joining of vocational and regular education system, mixing of personnel, own situation. Feelings re impact of scandal on work on vocational qualifications. Mentions later advisory role to RGU (Robert Gordon's University). Mentions Total's continuing involvement in community; own membership of Council for Music in Hospitals. Benefit of having public speaking skills. Mentions home life, wife's interest in bridge.
Side A
Details re function, role, connection of MCP01 (Manifold Compression Platform). Details re Frigg, St Fergus pipelines, processes, equipment, transport involved. Peterhead base established for construction project. Day-to-day air and sea activities coordinated from Aberdeen. Role of construction project managers, newness of experience, accidents. Mentions later loss of Spanish workers on Alwyn project. French good on safety. Examples of safety standards in 1970s. Chance-taking aspect of British character. Mentions feelings re Falklands conflict. Impact of industry on Peterhead, compares with Aberdeen. Compares Mobil, Shell, Total situations. Developing anxiety in fishing industry, re entangling fishnets, changing patterns of fish behaviour around platforms. Recalls meetings with unions who wanted pipelines buried, difficulties with compensation scheme, claims. Problems with fishing nets getting entangled with pipelines. Reference to Department of Energy. Details re part burial of pipelines, greater expense involved. Frigg a twin pipeline. Explains maintenance routine, cleaning process. Change in nature of Frigg gas, use of distribution point. Reference to Alwyn Field. Explains consequences of Frigg being trans-border. Details re mix, use of UK, Norwegian gas, metering procedures. Big midsummer strategy conference held each year in different countries. Monthly Norwegian/UK meetings held. Recalls differences of opinion re additions needed. Describes Norwegian attitude. French attitude to them. Exchange of engineers. Mentions shopping opportunities in Aberdeen for Norwegians, regular shopping trips, cost of living in Norway. Background to Frigg development. Details re Anglo-Norwegian Treaty. Mentions own Scottish/British feelings. Reference to Invergordon Coating. Describes daily routine, working hours in early years with Total, recruitment, training. Relations with London. Own domestic arrangements. Recalls Adelphi Steak House, Aberdeen. Links with other companies, BP.
Side B
Recruitment and training (cont'd). Involvement of ex-patriot French staff, advertising campaign before start of gas flow 1978. Recalls need to take account of local dialects in recruiting, eg people from Peterhead, Aberdeen. Few rejected on language grounds. Language situation in crises. Development of manuals re running of terminals, manifold platform. Reference to Alwyn project 1980s. Details re staff numbers at St Fergus; offshore, team recruitment, changing shift deployment system. Reference to MCP01. Consultant recruiters and London-based personnel officers used. Own title then Administration Manager, involved with recruitment of engineers etc. Spent time in Paris. Details re use of company Caravelle aircraft. Recalls 1976 Paris trip. Mentions noise of Trident aircraft, Dyce airport. Details re General Services Department, responsible for helicopters, planes, ships. Mentions Bert Johnson, Transport Manager. Reference to Dr Jakov, heart surgeon, heart transplant. Helicopters on call to move people to platforms. Details. Long-term investment at time, no income for company. Company did business with Bank of Scotland. Explains. Recalls initial cautious attitude of bank. First gas 1977. Arrangements for Queen's opening 1978. Reference to involvement in UKOOA training committees. Much original engineering work done in Paris. Attitude of young French engineers. Reference to Bill Foster. Feeling of confidence between French, British. Recalls institution of active company social club. Details re annual Joint Weekends involving staff and families held in different places. Mentions drowning tragedy in St Ives. Explains 13-month salary system. In 1970s salaries linked to inflation. Details. Compares with situation in other oil companies. Staff at all levels mixed, took holidays, ate together etc. Attitude of French to working in Britain, Scotland.
Side A
1977 phased start of Frigg production. Details re procedures, arrival of gas at MCP01, St Fergus. Mentions building of British Gas Terminal, metering point, entry of gas into grid. Explains arm's length involvement in relationship with British Gas. Mentions Sir Denis Rooke, his attitude, Brian McDermott, BG Secretary, Bill Foster of Total London office. Difficulties with London office. Reference to Jean-Marie de Manche. Own work more predictable after 1977. Explains increasing sophistication of accounting system. Reference to partners Statoil, Norsk Hydro, Elf UK. Recalls tough Frigg Meetings, complications of Frigg system, changes to MCP01 through discovery of extra pockets of gas. Own role at Frigg Meetings eg re staffing etc. Wife's involvement with Company, colleagues. Mentions London Christmas dinners, wives' programmes. Explains meshwe, traditional Algerian dish. No expense spared for social activities in Company. Change to attitudes re profits after production started. Frigg produced over 40% of UK gas supply. Time taken to pay off investment. Planning for Queen's inauguration visit. Details re Lord Lieutenant, Mike Maitland Mackie, Oil Industry Community Fund. Reference to St Giles Cathedral repairs. Skean Dhu Hotel. Beginnings of Alwyn project, early work in Paris. Company move to Altens early 1980s, emphasis on operations work. Recruitment situation. Continuing pessimistic Scottish attitude towards industry. Feelings re Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher, malaise in British industry, her attitude to unions. Opinion of Jim Callaghan. Feelings re Falklands war, Thatcher's attitude. Reference to Michael Foot. Industry exemption from 3-day week. Attitude of British to Falklands war. Own work involved more general management. Details re company organisation, titles. Reference to organogram. Family details, involvement with them.
Side B
Company social clubs were for families. Details. Attitude of Company. Taught own children to drive. Details. Relationship with them. Reference to salary. Comments on raising family. Details re children, their current situation. Preparations for royal opening of Alwyn by Prince of Wales, celebrations at Haddo House, links to other countries, London etc. Reference to Group Chairman, Francois-Xavier Ortoli, former president, European Commission. Details re Alwyn platform. Details re own regular offshore visits, routines followed, consultations with staff. Acted as Aberdeen representative trustee on UK pension scheme. Mentions private pensions problems. Details re Total pension scheme. Mentions offshore safety course. Describes situation offshore, food, atmosphere. Chaired Consultative Committee involving workforce representatives. Relationship with unions. Recalls difficulties at St Fergus, own role. Regret at ending of Joint Weekends. Harsher, more realistic world in 1990s. Recalls occasional own fallouts with managers. Introduction of use of facilitators. Involvement of Brian Redhead of Today radio programme, in Alwyn inauguration. Protocol with Prince of Wales. Mentions own links with him. Mentions Haddo House events, use of marquee. Company staff numbers in 1980s, extensions to Altens buildings, evolution of company. Took part in Licensing Round presentations to Department of Energy in London. Explains. Attitude of colleagues to self. Impact of licensing rounds on Company, planning. Details re London meetings, preparation, personnel, atmosphere. Mentions John Brooks, Patrick O'Farrar(?), Commercial Manager, London, later Director of Lloyds. Mentions attitude of French. Mentions giving presentation on OPITO. Routine at licensing meetings, discussions, problems re British components, OSO (Offshore Supplies Office). First involved with Industry Training Board early 1980s. Reference to Montrose Fire Centre. Chairman OPITO 1989-93.
Side A
Details re role of UKOOA. Reference to John Wils. Details re development, role of OPITO 1989, its composition, including oil companies, education sector, unions. Appointed first Chair of OPITO. Reference to RGIT, Dr David Kennedy. Main concern - issues of safety, formulation of training policy, courses. Importance of validation of courses. Reference to Industry Training Board. Current worldwide reputation, spread of OPITO. Changes in attitudes to safety. Attitude of Shell, BP, French companies. Reference to Licensing Rounds. Explains need to bring about ITB personnel management change. Details re new Chief Executive. Feelings about own role as Chairman, governance. Recalls involvement in other organisations, UKOOA, RGIT/RGU. Haddo House, Council for Music in Hospitals, Football Festival. Mentions company's interest in community activities. Recalls evening of Piper Alpha disaster, contact with company, situation on MCP01, lack of news. Explains shutdown procedure, movement of gas between platforms, potential danger to MCP01. Spent night in Total control room. Reference to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Describes reaction to disaster, review of procedures. Represented company at memorial services. Public reaction to accident happening to American company. Comments on American organisations. Recalls meeting Lord Cullen. Comments on new safety regime. OPITO reaction to possibility of BP removing safety vessels from platforms. Explains role of OPITO validators. Attitude of Union representatives on OPITO. Unions' attitude to OILC. Unionisation a non-issue in Total. Own attitude to union representation on OPITO.
Side B
OPITO became a success, now operating around world. Details. Comments on involvement of unions. Problem re cosmopolitan nature of workforce, union membership. Piper Alpha a shadow across industry, encouraged support of OPITO. Prime function of OPITO - inspection, certification of oil industry trainers including RGIT. Explains importance of this. Recalls first Offshore Europe exhibition, significance of annual OTC Houston. Details re Offshore Europe. Exhibition a problem for oil companies. Explains their role. First exhibition held in a tented village. Details re first day, organisation, rain. Mentions Total's stand at recent exhibition - for public relations. Growing sophistication of exhibition. Attitude of people attending exhibition, announcement of deals, involvement of Government. Reference to Duke of York, Stavanger exhibition. Details re planning for exhibition, responsible image of Total as potential employer - its desire to be loved in Scotland. Reference to London office. Growing importance of image of company. Further details re exhibition. Comments on significance of colours etc in advertising, desirable values. Own responsibility for exhibition. Social/business programme during exhibition. Details re Houston OTC (Offshore Technology Conference). Involvement with Torry Quay development from 1973. Reference to Aberdeen Harbour Board, fishing industry. Mentions long-time importance of Aberdeen as trading port. Explains need to dredge, expand harbour. Pipes for pipelines went through Invergordon. Recalls queues of supply boats awaiting berths in Aberdeen. Early Total decision to have own facilities in harbour. Attitude of Harbour Board. Details re capital outlay, leasing arrangements with Harbour Board. Attitude of French to having own facilities, their nervous attitude towards flags. Explains success of Torry Quay.
Side A
Background to use of contractors in oil/gas industry. Most oil companies contracted out drilling work. Total's favourite companies French. Requirements of Department of Energy re use of British rigs. Use of French personnel. Describes drillers, their way of working in a group. Reference to Drilling Manager Gilbert Galtier. Recalls first real row re use of British rig - only occasion of ill feeling. Mentions use of French-speaking personnel, teething problem. Different reactions of French, British after arguments. Comments on handshake, attitudes in Britain, peace gesture in Anglican church. Attitude of Peterhead people. Use of contractors extended. No problem Total being French employer. Attitude to French of colleagues in southern England. Rates of pay in Total linked to RPI (retail price index). Details re increases, envy of others. Mentions involvement in speculative discussions re Dunbar field, use of Alwyn pipelines. Background to introduction of chaplaincy. Mentions confusion with terms rig, platform. Recalls ACTS (Association of the Churches in Scotland) chaplaincy initiative. Mentions Bishop Mario Conti, his attitude to sharing mass. Appointment of first chaplain, Andrew Wylie, details re him, his background, reaction of industry to him. Details re his work. Impact of Piper Alpha on perception of chaplain, Wyllie's involvement in post-disaster work. Uniqueness of his post. Wyllie talked to all denominations. Mentions other priests, chaplains going offshore. Chaplaincy based in oil company offices. Details. Recalls Wyllie's London farewell chaired by (now) Lord Wakeham, then Secretary of State for Energy. Next chaplain Angus Smith. Describes. Details re his background. Comments on accents. Own involvement in new industry committee of chaplains. Mentions later involvement of son on committee.
Side B
Chaplaincy (cont'd). Comments on military training for crisis situations, attitude of military and that of oil industry people. Mentions Oil Industry Chapel, regular services, Piper Alpha Memorial, Hazlehead Park, unveiled by Queen Mother. Comments on globalisation, mergers. Change in reputation of oil industry. Regret at distancing of decision-makers from action. Comments on terms human resource management, personnel. Attitude of Total to people. Globalisation has brought pension crisis. Details. Mentions own involvement in company pension fund. Feelings about Total now. Retired 1993. Feelings about retirement. Mentions move of most of company to Aberdeen, processes involved. Attitude of people in south, Glaswegians to Aberdeen. Lessening of Total community involvement. Details re Youth, Football Festivals, current Total event. Recalls own approach to company's community involvement. Concern that company may become distant from communities. Recalls own farewells from Grampian Region, Banff & Buchan District Council, Company management at Ardoe House - garlic joke, offshore at Alwyn etc. Recalls sensitivity of building St Fergus gas terminal. Describes own role in company. Recalls work as spokesman in industry and at RGU. Mentions involvement in difficult dismissal case. Effect of not having worked all life in oil industry. Different working with French industry. Mentions Bert Johnson, Patrick O'Farrar(?). Government procurement policy, OSO not big problem for company. Comments on relationship, irritations between Government, Civil Service, Company. Reference to OPITO, Scottish Office, RGU. Comments on change in requirements for public expenditure, impact of greater longevity, demands on health service. Reference to Tony Benn, Denis Healey. Future of North Sea oil/gas industry, possibility of another energy source. Reference to Middle East situation, Iraq, oil reserves.
END OF INTERVIEW |