| Description | Interview length: 1 hr 17min 28secs
Interview summary: Alexander James Harvey, born 1954, current occupation is a specialist engineer working on the decommissioning of MCP-01. Married, with 1 daughter, born 1979, who also works in decommissioning. Paternal grandfather Thomas Harvey was a farmer on Orkney, paternal grandmother Tina Harvey was a housewife. Father was third child of five. Maternal grandfather, John Johnstone volunteered aged 15 to fight in the First World War, later became a stonemason to trade, also worked for the Hudson Bay Company and various Gold Mines in Canada. Later returned to Scotland and became a farmer. Maternal grandmother was a farmer's daughter and was a housewife. Mother was one of nine children. Mother worked on farms, as a secretary in a doctor's surgery and in shops. Father was a self-employed joiner. Parents married 1952. Alex Harvey born at home near Sandwick, Shetland. Grew up in Orkney. Had one sister but she died very young. Between 1959-1966 attended Doonby Primary School, Orkney. Then attended Stromness Academy, Orkney between 1966 and 1972. In 1972 moved to Aberdeen and attended the School of Commerce to study an HND in computer processing. Worked briefly in Birmingham then returned to Aberdeen. Later in life completed a Masters in Mechanical Engineering through Open University. 1974 started work in the oil-industry as a labourer for an inspection company, then became a trainee. Describes in detail tasks he completed onshore and offshore and the rigs he visited. Describes moving around between jobs as money and opportunities arose. 1976, started work on mainland gas pipelines as an inspector. Describes visiting Frigg / St. Fergus as part of his work on mainland gas pipelines. Transferred companies and was re-employed by Lloyds Register as an inspector. Was sent offshore to work on MCP-01 as it was commissioned in 1978. Describes his tasks on MCP-01 during the commissioning period. Worked as a team of 3 offshore inspectors contracted to Total. Left Lloyds Register in 1979. Daughter was born 1979, married for the second time in 1983. Started work in the Middle East, describes work environment and how he tired of the rotation routine. In 1983 was earning £5000 per month tax free. Returned to Aberdeen and worked for Occidental before being made redundant in 1984. Began work for an insurance company as an inspector. Eventually in November 1985 began working at St. Fergus as a Plant Inspector for Total and became a staff member in 1988. Describes daily routine, tasks and shift pattern. Describes in detail the development of legislation, inspection, equipment and his own promotion at Total. Details the role of MCP-01 and its relationship with St. Fergus. Describes the remote monitoring and running of MCP-01 when it became not-normally-manned. Had few sporting interests but enjoyed photography and motorsport; ran a rally car for a period. Details the recreational organisation and facilities laid on by Total for staff and families. Wife worked for school catering from marriage to retirement. Describes in detail the physical deterioration of the MCP-01 platform despite monitoring and the decision taken to completely abandon MCP-01. Discusses the bypass operation for MCP-01 and his own role in this. Now living in Stavanger, considers it a different life approach but enjoys the lifestyle and country. Describes in detail how the Frigg field has been decommissioned and how the platforms are removed and recycled. Details and discusses colleagues and incidents from MCP-01. Discusses unionism within the oil-industry, considered it to have harmed many careers. Compares the pros and cons of the oil industry and its effects upon Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland. Considers the oil-industry to have given him great personal benefits, but has had very difficult times within the industry.
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