| Description | Tape 1 Side A RICHARD DOUGLAS VINCENT KITE born 25 March 1931 near Sittingbourne, Kent. Describes home village, local church dedicated for use of Lee Pemberton family. Reference to Bank of England. Sixth of eight boys. Details re siblings. Mother had nearly become missionary. Maternal family: details re mother, her family. Grandmother bedridden many years. She was bombed out twice during war. Details. Grandfather in Army, on Northwest Frontier with Royal Artillery. Paternal family: father from Kent. Family records go back to 1700. Origin of name Kite. Details re family. Early records on sheepskin. Mentions family in Australia. Grandfather had public houses. Details re ring-in-the-bull game. Father a farm labourer, despatch rider for Short Aircraft, Kent, worked for Lee Pembertons, Marley Tile Company. Details. Reference to Aisher family, owners of Marley, origin of firm. Father in Royal Navy as stoker in Great War, at Battle of Zeebrugge on HMS Daffodil. He was later in paper industry with Bowaters. Mother did hop picking in summer. Parents had difficult financial circumstances. Describes parents, their approach to discipline, caring personalities. Recalls childhood home in Bredgar village. Reference to Roman Claudius coins dug up there. Explains interest in family history. Grandfather a jobbing farmer, took people to local town with horse and trap. Details re him, example of his sense of humour. Explains own interest in religion. Details re church schools attended. Mother born in London. Recalls her attitude to slang. Recalls going to Wesleyan Chapel. Brought up in Church of England, in choir, served at communion. Questioned church. Details. Started school at age 4. Recalls weekly 5-mile walk with mother and family.
Side B
Describes Marshes Farm which had a deep well. Recalls brothers finding a bomb, throwing it on to road trying to explode it. Details re later disposal. Relationship with brothers, different characters. Little music in childhood. Went country dancing as teenager. Never an avid reader as child. Recalls encounter with an old man, confusion over a hat leading to a job picking fruit for many years. Explains dislike for name Dick. Details re gentleman farmer employer, his chauffeur-driven car, game shooting etc. Mentions expression 'bad penny'. Had own life apart from brothers. Failed 11 Plus. Recalls driving car illegally when young. Father strong Conservative. Explains own Conservative politics. Feelings about politics. Went to Sheerness Technical School 1944-47. Details re celebrated former pupils. Details re brothers. Wanted to be electrical fitter but did apprenticeship/degree as engine fitter in Royal Dockyard School 1947-54. Explains. Details re other Royal Dockyards. Exams etc identical. Details re courses leading to going to Durham University - first in family to go. Recalls opportunities that arose at that time for people like self. Mentions other universities taking Royal Dockyard School boys. Reaction of family to university opportunity. Mother finished school at 13, believed in importance of education. Recalls paternal attitude of former employer when going on shoots with gentlemen farmers, conversations with him. Reference to Lord Cornwallis. All apprentices from relatively poor families. Mentions apprentices wearing ties, jokes. Had rich childhood. Recalls fruit picking in summertime, delivered Sunday papers. Never unoccupied. Inherited temperament from father. Describes. Attitude to stress, possibility of doing things, need to fight against difficult situations.
Tape 2 Side A
Got BSc at Durham University, C Eng (Chartered Engineer) from Engineering Council. Details re Council. Explains procedure getting permission to go to university. Mentions work on minesweepers, returning to apprentice work as graduate. Recalls telegram announcing news of degree pass. Mentions apprentice wages, possibility of National Service, advice of brothers. Attitude of forces to 'officer material'. Mentions jobs of other apprentices. Background to appointment as Refinery Inspection Engineer, Bahrain Petroleum Company 1954-8. Details re air travel there, gatch runway in Kuwait. Describes situation in Bahrain, travel to oil township. Details re Caltex. Worked as Equipment Inspector in refinery. Details re pipes, overhauls of different types of plants. Worked under Area Inspector. Explains technicalities of pipelines, seals, measurements, temperatures etc. Explains formula 'PD over 2FS' for minimum pipe thickness - that still applies. Mentions application of Bahrain experience in North Sea. Details re temperatures in refineries. American standards only ones to use. Explains. Early British standards, which were not very good, now widely accepted. Explains. Recalls reputation of British mechanical engineers. Explains preference for imperial measuring system over metrics. Arrived in Bahrain at age 23. Most personnel were British, more aggressive than BP people. Poor personal relationships there. Recalls death of mother, company's inhumane attitude to time away, application of American culture. Impact of this experience on own development, career. Tends to meet things head-on. Feelings about opposition from below. Explains how British stand out among other nationalities. Concern re Europe, political correctness, loss of ability to speak straight. Prospects for young engineers now - need to be subservient. Recalls attitude when young. Feelings about situation in Bahrain.
Side B
Bahrain 1954-8 (cont'd). Details re mother's death, heart condition, general health. Was close to her. Recalls her last farewell. Father's attitude. Mentions his past experience laying out bodies. Further details re father's get-jobs-done personality, his attitude to discipline, mother's attitude to him. Family was affectionate. Mother good to daughters-in-law. Details. Father remarried. Reactions of brothers. Details re death at young age of brother. Impact of death of mother. Recalls Indian friend in Bahrain, his attitude to mixed marriages, own attitude. Further details re work in Bahrain with stainless steel, metallurgical aspects of industry, sigma phase condition, carbon migration, problems with vapour lines, cracking welds. Technical details involving chrome-nickel steel, heat treatment, stress relief. Explains weld materials. Most plants in Bahrain designed by Universal Oil Products (UOP). Mentions Procon, wife's work for them. Benefit of Bahrain experience later in North Sea. Details re hydrogen blistering - acid - attacking steel. Reference to hydrogen sulphide. Problem with weakness of pressure vessel. Further technical details re procedures followed. Explains method of testing pipelines by hitting with hammer. More H2S in Bahrain oil than in North Sea oil. Details re underwater pipelines. Explains problems with movement in heat, use of tension, use of zig zag form to allow pipe to concertina. Recalls first pipeline inspection of a sewer line. Details re Sheik of Bahrain, prohibition from being too close to palace. Occasionally tense situation in Bahrain. Mentions 'debagging' incident, security considerations for westerners.
Tape 3 Side A
Bahrain 1954-8 (cont'd). Recalls religious festivals, rivalries. Westerners keep away during rites. Details. Explains equipment used in refinery, eg probelog for testing tubes with different types of corrosion. Describes ultrasonic instrument for identifying thickness of steel pipes, oscillograph for identifying cracks, inspection of heater tubes in refinery etc. Further technical details related to inspection, cleaning. Ultrasonic equipment used in North Sea. Recalls tool, no longer used, employing radioactivity. Mentions back-scatter radiation. Another technique, which can be used in North Sea, involves radio isotopes. Details. Recalls technical backup, strong scientific base developed by Texaco in Bahrain Petroleum Company refinery. Details re processing of oil with additives to reduce corrosion - slightly different from BP's processes. Before going to Bahrain, had no experience of refineries. Learned great deal re welding materials. Gives examples. Compares with situation in North Sea. Disappointing that universities don't give appropriate welding instruction etc. Recalls use of caustic soda in crude distillation units, reduction of acid effects. Details re use of distilled water, hazards of addition of calcium, risk of sulphate-reducing bacteria. Refinery dealt with domestic areas as well, cathodic protection on jetties. Recalls strikes in Bahrain, Iraq revolution. Recalls discussion with naval captain about career potential in Royal Navy. Decided to stay in oil industry. Background to appointment as Tug Engineer with Kuwait Oil Company 1959-61. Recalls company's good reputation. Explains role, status in new era, having degree. Job was like having time out. Details re tugs.
Side B
Kuwait Oil Company 1959-61 (cont'd). Tugs not air-conditioned. Describes work in steam tugs, their capabilities. Explains mechanical detail of linkage system controlling steam, immediate engine forward/reverse capability etc. Details re less effective impulse/reaction steam turbines. Reference to Newton's law re action/reaction. Older tug skippers a breed. Explains in detail procedures involved in towing tankers, dangers. Mentions dog rope. Recalls seeing Orkney Marine Superintendent in Kuwait working on tugs. Good tug-master one of a kind. Further example of hazards. Details re diesel tugs which had gearboxes. Problems with clutch system. Given job of looking after marine electrical section with efficient Indian, Pakistani electricians. Importance of this experience in later North Sea platform work. Introduction to battery charging. Details re use of mercury arc rectifier. Did workshop work, modified an air winch to drive a pedestal crane on the jetty. Details. Benefit of experience for North Sea. Problem today with over-specialised engineers. Feelings about 'experts'. Explains move to position of Refinery Engineer in Kuwait 1961-3. Had to do process work, learn operation in control room first. Explains. Spent time on crude distillation unit, refinery-based platformer unit, hydrogen compressors etc. Details re processes. Worked on LPG fractionation plant. Details. Relates to North Sea. Details re liquefying gases, cooling processes. Propane, butane exported to Japan. Describes daily working hours. Recalls social life in Kuwait, clubs. Mentions alcohol situation, banning.
Tape 4 Side A
Refinery Engineer in Kuwait 1961-3 (cont'd). Recalls work in refinery engineering and maintenance. Explains role, responsibilities. Most significant engineering aspect was engines driving hydrogen compressors on platformer unit. Describes engines, problems running them. Explains unifying platformer unit in detail, use of catalysts, potential problems, temperatures involved. Reference to flare, daily petrol production. In charge of Western, Palestinian supervisors. Details. Some had worked in Haifa Refinery. Technical details re work on pumps. Recalls Ray Duthie, Superintendent Engineer from Dyce, his resolution to problem involving pump seals. Recalls another problem with O rings, corrosion, H2S etc. Lessons learned applicable in North Sea. Comments on people across industry not reading, complying with instructions. Piper Alpha disaster no different. Reference to Flixborough disaster. Major accidents created because of people going their own route. Gives example of major liquefied gas accident in US. Recalls accident in Kuwait involving pump on LPG unit. Explains own involvement, advice to contain fire, not put it out. Importance of not putting out liquid gas fires. Explains spiking butane into crude oil on tankers, volatility of cargo. Describes flash fire on one tanker, fatalities. Explains need for compressors used offshore in North Sea to be flame proof or to have shut-down valves if diesel driven. Relates issue to cranes, their lighting. Need for electrical equipment to be explosion proof. Strong crossover between refineries and offshore industry. Promoted to Superintendent Inspection & Corrosion, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) 1963-9. Job had difficulties. Decision that refinery plant, oil production areas would be inspected by KOC staff, work formerly done by Lloyds. Explains. Reference to BP.
Side B
Superintendent Inspection & Corrosion 1963-9 (cont'd). Explains own role, to incorporate corrosion control. Details re inspection range, covering all equipment from north to south Kuwait. Explains corrosion control. Mentions jetties, submarine pipelines, offshore terminal. Big job but not hard. Explains. Also concerned with cathodic protection, water treatment. Mentions British, Iraqi engineers. Cathodic protection of oil wells not done in North Sea but may have to be to avoid casing changes. Explains process, potential problems. Kuwait offshore terminal unique in not having paint below waterline. Details re suggestion by Matt Lenning, BP Senior Manager. Reference to 550,000 ton tankers. Explains in detail potential problem of hydrogen embrittlement. Reference to Dennis Dolan, BP corrosion engineer. Explains atoms, molecules. Explains dangers linked to amount of hydrogen produced in cathodic protection process. Details re use of half-cells, situation in sea water. Difference between Kuwait and North Sea wells. Explains hanging strings in Magwa Field, Kuwait; structure of well. Potential possibility of leaking casings in North Sea. Explains benefit of hanger wells. Mentions different oil zones in wells. Potential problem of corrosion external to well. Details re well construction. Recalls engineer from Shell, Lyn Best, an Olympic sailing team stand-in. Describes accident, injured man on tug when wrongly welded fairlead broke off. Outcome of situation.
Tape 5 Side A
Recalls gas injection in Kuwait field via gas turbines. Explains problems with blade failure. Concluded that wrong material had been supplied. Explains process of analysis. Details re consequences of this for Westinghouse in US re wrong materials in their turbines. They were aware problem could occur. Details re replacement, composition of material. Reaction of company to discovery of mistake. Married 1955. Details re wife, sons, names, divorce. Remarried 1978. Details re second wife, her work with BP, son. Mentions life for oil wives in Bahrain, Kuwait, home help. Details re nursemaid, house help, family friendship with her. Summarises work in Kuwait including change from steel to plastic pipe coatings, refinery work. Details re hydrogen blistering. Mentions work re stainless steel. Updated all British standards. Explains. Instituted use of film badges, docimeters to monitor dosage of rays affecting bodies for people using isotopes. Reference to blood tests on employees. Did more monitoring of pipeline welding. Details re use of oscilloscope, waterproof probes. Resigned shortly before marriage breakup. Background to appointment with BP as Planning Engineer Abu Dhabi, Das Island 1969. Further details re situation for oil wives. Details re personal life. Comments on hazard of boredom on oil industry marriages. Mentions a manager who got backhanders. Problem in Kuwait etc with compaction of people together. In North Sea, more a matter of separation. Details. Explains feelings about longer separation between leaves and quick turnaround routines. Recalls social life with nurses in Kuwait. Mentions Bedouins using dried camel dung as napkins for babies. Details re a nurse who motored from Kuwait to Britain and back.
Side B
Further details re nurses in Kuwait including one motoring from UK to Kuwait. Recalls PT teacher at Anglo-American school, parties in Kuwait. Mentions own attitude to socialising with friends, friendships. Recalls cocktail parties in Kuwait, playing sport. Mentions Khyber Pass Society in Aberdeen made up of ex-Kuwait staff. Background to name. Recalls Sandy Findlay's bravery when there was an explosion and he returned to site to shut system down. Details re cause of explosion. Recalls two men who went on board tanker after explosion. Survivors walked into hospital, died in early hours of morning. Details re another accident. Reference to Jean Wishart. Returned to UK 1969. Interviewed by BP. Offered bachelor posting to Das Island - where all divorced men go to, to recover. No women there. Impact of broken marriage on men, women. Motored home from Kuwait. Details re trip via Iraq. Mentions railway lines. Recalls Iraqi called Al Samurai. Further details re trip back to UK. Comment on Iraqis, their tolerance to Christians, Jews. Baath Party political, not religious party. Compares situation in Iraq with that in neighbouring countries. Details re difficulty crossing Iraq/Iran border, drive along road where there had been skirmishes. Details re food, cockroaches. Passed earthquake areas. Reference to aklecan food. Describes picnics, rest of trip home. Stopped for drinking in Bulgaria after a glass of beer with meal. Details. Mentions previous car trip with family from Kuwait to UK. Details re next appointment on Das Island as Planning Engineer - an anomaly of a title. Explains. Details re platforms there. Recalls reports of little hope then for oil from North Sea.
Tape 6 Side A
Wanted to return from Das Island, a bachelor posting. Recalls early discussion re Forties Field, appointment to position of Superintendent Engineer 1973-6. Timed start of new job to new fiscal year. Explains. Sent to Great Yarmouth. Details re operation there run by Mike Adey. Details re office function, maintenance for Sea Quest, West Sole gas fields, personnel. No jackets in North Sea then. Need for Sea Quest modifications, including winches, motion compensators, generator engines. Details. Had to do overhaul/modification documentation, specification. Details re Sea Quest. Reference to Sea Gem. Mentions Sea Quest problems with weight. Details re external access to pontoons. Describes interior of pontoons. BP had never overhauled Sea Quest on lump sum basis. Attitude of Drilling Manager. Details re contract for fixed sum. Benefit of own experience in Kuwait. Explains BP's overall operation, capabilities, attitude to maintenance, their caution in dealing with exploration-to-operation situation. Explains drilling concept at time, their attitude to contract work. Mentions own experience on Das Island, Iran. BP had small office in Great Yarmouth, was preparing for move to Aberdeen. Mentions oil contractors in Yarmouth. Recalls design changes to offshore ships, accidents, decision to helicopter offshore crews. Mentions Marine Superintendent Alan Ross's design for move-in deck for supply vessels - which didn't catch on. Explains. Details re Ross. Details re analysis of Sea Quest and its equipment, approach to overhaul programme, trip around UK and to Norway to find location for overhaul. Mentions Aker, their development of H3 drilling semi-submersible, its anchoring etc requirements which were similar to BP's for Sea Quest.
Side B
Sea Quest overhaul location search (cont'd). Details re possibilities of Bergen, Newcastle upon Tyne. Explains risks of a tow up the Tyne. Not impressed by lack interest of Tyneside yards. They were ship-oriented - part of problems of Britain as industrial nation. Mentions interest of Newcastle port authorities. Mentions ownership of feu of Nigg dry dock in Rossshire. Mentions drill-ships in Hamburg, later sinking of one in North Sea. Comments on their design. Problem with electric wires across river in Hamburg. Explains choice of Flashen for overhaul. Mentions appointment also to supervise total repairs but change to work on jackets. Details re major snag because of supply of wrong materials for Sea Quest winches. Reference to Lloyds. Delay to refit. Recalls earlier experience with wrong materials being supplied. Explains in detail anchoring procedure for Sea Quest, drilling installations; calculations, new anchor designs, techniques for retrieving anchors, compensator provision for sea movement. Explains procedures with drilling stems. Details re two compensation means, for riser and drill bit. Mentions erection of new mast. Recalls previous experience in Kuwait, Das Island. Had freedom in Sea Quest job. Reference to BP temporary offices in Aberdeen, Winter of Discontent. Offshore Supplies Office (OSO) had little effect on BP, Sea Quest job. Details. Had to go to who could supply, eg Americans for mud pumps. Explains Americans' approach to equipment design - you don't fix it unless it breaks, design so it won't break. At time of Forties pipeline system construction, not possible to buy pipeline from Britain. Comparable situations today.
Tape 7 Side A
Moved to Aberdeen 1973. Forties jackets constructed in different parts of UK. Own role to look at future operations of platforms. Modules construction by John Browns, Clyde and in Holland. Jackets built on their sides. Explains floatation, placement in upright position. Recalls problems during test tank trials when jackets went into spin. Details re use of spheres to stop rotation, floatation chambers, float-out on rafts, lowering to seabed. Recalls seeing first jacket going in. Floatation chambers reused. Reference to own photograph for Civil Engineering Magazine July 1974. Mentions magazine reporter forgetting to take camera. Spheres reused. Describes floatation, visitors present. Matt Lenning in charge of operation. Details. Mentions input of Tom Ingram, Maurice Laing. Floatation done by telemetry control. Explains. First floatation done by wire. Details. Reference Controls Engineer David Green. Floatation took half a minute. Recalls confidence of success of operation, celebrations at event. Attitude of BP to its skills. Mentions weather situation. Processes following floatation. Start of recruitment of people for Forties. Details re Herrema crane barges Thor, Hercules, largest lift barges at time. Details re problem with lift of largest package, slings not tested, started to slip. Reaction of BP. Consequences of situation for individual responsible and for Brown & Root. Explains cone fitting points on jacket, other procedures before hook-up. Explains hook-up. Major labour-force Spanish - cheap and skilled. British attitude to Spaniards. Explains progress in recruitment of operators, many of whom were engineers in their own right. Advent of OIM (Offshore Installation Manager), Operations Engineer system. Details re backgrounds of people recruited, eg marine, coalmines. Mentions courses run. Approach to recruitment.
Side B
Recruitment for Forties (cont'd). Sought mainly marine engineers. Explains. Details re training, individuals recruited. Problem with Scots who changed jobs more often than English. Explains reason, economic background in Scotland. Details re anticipated staff turnover - greater than it turned out to be. BP a big player but didn't act like one. Attitude of Shell. BP had one PR person in Aberdeen. Contact with other companies. Details re pay rate. Attitude of BP to trade unions, own attitude, attitude of union job applicant during interview. Explains type of people recruited, feeling about disruptive people. Mentions need for people who could spend time away from home. Attitude of offshore personnel to unions. American companies anti-union. BP tried to control wages. Possible consequence for local community, eg Aberdeen, if men paid too much. Details re port being shut down on Das Island by one man. Attitude of American companies. Explains BP salary scales. Comments on possibility of people on land being driven into poverty trap. Attitude of unions to offshore industry where pay was higher, food and time off good. Comments on Norwegian situation where union membership is high. Mentions contractors' rates of pay, limited career situation. Impact of Sea Gem disaster still felt in BP, had bearing in North Sea eg on use of cranes. Still believes offshore management system not right. Need for manager offshore to have direct line to senior company management. Mentions Piper Alpha situation. Possible effect on career prospects of speaking out. Reference to Beryl situation. Explains pipeline construction, route. Reference to Mike Humphries, Pipeline Engineer; environmental pollution probability. Explains pipelines 'pigging' process.
Tape 8 Side A
Further details re cleaning of pipes using 'pigs'. Dimensions of pipes under sea, land. Mentions manual gauge-testing at construction stage, debris sometimes left in pipelines. Recalls occasion when balls (pigs) have shot out of Forties pipeline at Cruden Bay. Details re different types of pig, eg separation pig, brush and pig, scraper pig. Recalls pigs being stuck in pipelines, difficulty finding them, procedures followed. Problem when whole line has to be lifted up. Now a subsea repair would be done. Explains slack in pipelines, their normal movement. Details re pipe-laying procedure. Reference to BP Construction Engineering. Once operational, had dedicated staff to deal with pipeline maintenance etc. Transco (later British Gas) knowledgeable re pipeline systems, equipment for cleaning, gauging. Recalls discussion re calliper pig. Mention replacement of pipeline. Reference to installation of jacket. Own work concerned with recruitment. Mentions colleagues at time. Recruited ex-navy people, others from coalmines. Details. Recalls qualification requirements. Important for candidates to have had involvement with safety systems, power plants etc. Further details re company attitude to unions. Mentions unions in BP's UK refineries. Unions didn't exist offshore. BP's attitude to wages offshore, potential impact on Aberdeen etc. Offshore workers had more time off than they had had before. Details. Mentions stress of being away from home, need to get on with other workers. Explains interview procedure, attitude to candidates. Recruited shop stewards who then didn't join union offshore. Recalls mistake with one appointment. Further details re pigs. Recalls a difficult job. Recalls problem with an offshore pump, problems with cranes, fly-jib breakages. Details re cranes, lifting goods off ships.
Side B
Describes Aberdeen in mid-1970s. Recalls worldly Americans. Situation today where Aberdeen is training ground for Americans rather than for people here. Mentions most of own experience being overseas. Details re colleagues, eg John Pickard who developed idea of using gooseneck with offshore cranes. Recalls problems with debris, idea of using compactors offshore. Reference to original Nimmo Compactor. Further details re pipelines, pipeline bypasses etc, use of hot tap machines for putting valves on pipelines, recent use of hot taps in dealing with Ark Royal oil in Scarpa Flow. Details re pollution control on onshore Cruden Bay/Grangemough pipeline, eg when going under river, maintenance. Impact of pipeline on fields, need for drainage systems etc. Arrangement for designated people to walk pipelines. Was always available to farmers. Comments on buffer - distancing - effect of public affairs organisations in oil companies. Recalls meetings in Iran with Russian engineers, misleading translations from interpreters. Lived in hotel in Aberdeen. Details re BP involvement in accommodation arrangements. Details re social life. Comments on Aberdonians, their reaction to self as south east English person. Own attitude to being outsider in new places. Recalls experiences overseas. Attitude of Arabs to Scots. Explains need for care with language in other countries. Recalls company names for area of portacabin office centre in Peterculter. Detail re BP office locations in city. Reference to Stan Adamscheck, stores man. Developments in Dundee. Mentions stores women there. No women in senior positions in Dundee. Stores people came from Great Yarmouth. Background to use of support vessel Forties Kiwi.
Tape 9 Side A
Recalls new BP offices at Dyce. Recalls meeting there with future wife. Details re her. Had to separate work, social life. Explains management of secrecy of relationship pre-marriage. Possible effect on future promotion of not getting involved in company entertainment activities. Recalls local 'mafias' of people linked by service in particular countries. Recalls Department of Energy (DoE) involvement in inspections. Explains own single-signature approach to authorising modifications requested offshore - later evolution to sixteen-signature requirement when Aberdeen empire building accelerated. Little contact with Engineers' Institution but found their writings useful, eg one on embristlement of seals. Mentions transactions of Institute of Marine Engineers, early nuclear submarines. Didn't use own expertise on welding in North Sea. Comments on state of Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Problem now with institutions becoming academic, with their publications and presentation of themselves. Details. Explains request for overseas posting. Reference to children. Promoted to Superintendent Oil Operations, Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Operating Company Ltd, Das Island 1976. Details re staff numbers, colleagues, structure of company etc. LPG, crude oil plants on Das Island. Details re operations there, companies involved. Had good living conditions. Was responsible for production processing, maintenance, storage. Details re storage tanks, sea island jetties. Kept aware of North Sea. Dealt with different oil on Das - high H2S content. Details re dangers of H2S. Explains work with H2S, health precautions, dealing with hydrates, own improvement to system. Details re condensate plant. Had c850 staff plus contractors. Recalls a relief pipeline snaking because of pressure, technical backup from London.
Side B
Mentions (second) marriage. Offer of job in Alaska but stopped by American Government. Explains. Wife still working in Dyce office. Background to appointment as Offshore Installation Manager, Buchan Alpha. Reason for not wanting to work in London. Explains significance of having engineer as OIM on floating installation. Feeling, in retrospect, that decision to be OIM wrong, effect on future career. Mentions managerial side, control onshore. Recalls own previous level of responsibility overseas, number of staff etc. Reason for accepting job. Details re Buchan Alpha, a converted Pentagon floating drilling rig, sister of Alexander Keilland. Explains difference between them. Buchan Alpha involved in oil recovery from reservoir, connected to eight oil wells. Referred to rig as 'she' because a floater. Details re conversion work on Isle of Lewis. Wrote operations manual for Buchan Alpha. Work on Buchan Alpha was slow, tedious. Details re other OIMs. When rig towed, had to have master mariner on board. Explains catenary anchoring system, procedures setting up riser system, testing subsea valve systems, surveys before going into production. Details re tensioners holding pipe systems. Details re full-scale diving team, six men in saturation, working subsea installing valves etc. Recalls Diving Superintenent Jack Highley, ex Royal Dockyard. Recalls hook-up, large number on board, hot-bedding, own objection etc. Explains own approach to discipline, organisation of staff. Compares with over-controlling system on Forties. Details re cleaning, hygiene, own reputation. Recalls own budgetary etc organisation on Das Island, influence on Dyce office. Problem with levels of authority offshore, attitudes onshore. Recalls shutting down in Das Island. Details re 1981 50-year storm, attitude of forecaster.
Tape 10 Side A
Buchan Alpha (cont'd). Further details re 1981 50-year storm. Shut down, pulled risers - own decision. Details re pulling risers, dangers involved. Winds 90 knots, 60 foot waves. Explains unlatching of central riser. Explains decision not to go outside structure. Details re bleeding down hydraulic systems. Explains reason for releasing anchor winches to be clear of template below, anxieties. Storm lasted c26 hours. Explains release of main riser, reducing draft of installation, pitch and roll, umbilical controls. Details re standby safety vessel Seaway Jura. Mentions contact with shore re unlatching - no advice given. On rig, people went to bed with life jackets on. Recalls pressure of being on feet 36 hours. Reference to smoking. Recalls things smashed on board. Knew that rescue not possible if something went wrong. Describes one wave that went over top of rig. Had to set example to others. Explains own response if helicopter with bomb on board wanted to land on rig. Recalls refusing request from superintendent re helicopter landing of man on buoy for maintenance in storm conditions. Another time refused to release standby vessel at time of helicopter ditching. Explains action taken. Security a worry only in early days of Forties. Background to appointment as Senior Analyst, Management Information Group (MIG) 1984-6. Reference to John Browne, Manager, Forties, now People's Peer. Explains new role analysing role of activities of people in departments at different levels, production of Management Operational Report. Mentions previous similar experience in Das Island. Recalls blowout on Forties Delta, concern re situation there. Mentions quality of BP investigations. Gives example related to Buchan Alpha.
Side B
Concern in BP re safety procedures being up to date. Carried out census which revealed problems. Details re remedy for safety situation which is always changing. Worked on Technical Safety Review for Single Well Operating Production System (SWOPS). Comments on reaction of some managers to enquiries. Details re new concept of design resulting in a new tanker. Reference to Dr Alan Horran. Details re MIG. Retired 1986, did articulated lorry driving license. Explains. Had private pilot's license, had part-share in aeroplane with Aberdeenshire farmer. Details re partnership with him. Did contracting OIM work, consultancies, lectures. Details. Did staff analysis in Easington. Was Temporary OIM on BP's Cleeton gas platform. Recalls introducing personnel carrier (used on Buchan Alpha). Explains its use. Launched lifeboat for a practice run - not done before on Cleeton. Details. Mentions regular practice on Buchan Alpha. Opinion of current lifeboats. Recalls incidents, when on Cleeton, involving gas, and a fire indication. Explains actions taken. Recalls simulating coronary to test emergency response. Currently moving house. Has done charity work, driven lorry to Roumania, Albania etc for relief aid. Pulled back by BP in Dyce to look at water deluge systems for Forties platforms following Cullen Report, made recommendations. Endeavours to be active. Reference to youngest son. Indirectly involved with vessel Explorer in Leith, produced pamphlet.
END OF INTERVIEW |