Another trip up Blackpool tower.

Hello, id like to share some images from another trip working up Blackpool's tower, repairing the illumination lighting at great height. 

Arrived to site early and so I walked the long way there. Was surprised to see early morning council worker cleaning the front. 

Ropes set, and decent underway. Always told "don't look down" but you have to in this game. 

Today repairs ongoing to the heart light. 

Sophisticated control gear, power the lighting on the Tower, helps it to change colour and be programmable.

A spectator while working at height. 

Thanks for viewing.

Lee

Offshore rope access technicians.

Hello, 

Today id like to show some of the IRATA rope access technicians that were involved in the decommissioning of the BP Miller. 

Welding on dead weight supports to the risers. 

Rope access welder cutting a riser. 

Long tiring climb back up. 

Rope techs at height happy in their work. 

BP Miller, breaking containment

Hello, 

Today id like to show some images of large task involved when safely decommissioning an oil and gas rig. The task is called breaking containment. 

Where pipework has to be cut or flanges opened, we have to prove what was inside the pipe work previously, to ensure that it is safe via a gas test.

To prove that the pipe is safe to cut a gas test is required.  As the pipework has not yet been proven safe, all this is conducted under full breathing apparatus to protect the technicians drilling into the pipes from hazardous substances. 

BP Miller decommissioning Scaffolder.

The offshore scaffolder. 

They put up and take down scaffolding that allow offshore workers to reach higher levels during construction, decommissioning, maintenance or cleaning tasks.

Offshore standby vessel.

In the UK oil and gas industry, it is a requirement for a standby vessel to be present. These vessels primarily cover helicopter operations and if any work has to be conducted where there is a potential to fail to sea. (known as outboard work). These vessels sit there, day in day out, no matter the weather they provide us with emergency cover and would spring to life and help rescue if the unlikely event ever arose. 

BP Miller oil and gas installation Helideck.

Today id like to show a few single images. In recent times the Civil aviation has instructed for all UK oil and gas installations to install specific lighting set up on their helidecks, if they require flights in the hours of darkness.

The illuminated helideck against a North Sea sunset makes for quite an interesting image. 

Thanks

Lee

Fire team emergency response exercise.

Hello, 

Following on from last weeks post, today we see the Emergency response team practicing if there was an emergency inside the accommodation. 

Above is the fire team leader, his role here is directing his fire team, maintaining communications between his team, and the platform control room. 

The O.I.M setting the scene, and briefing the emergency fire team.  

For exercise - there has been indication of smoke inside the accommodation. 

Fire team leader, briefing his team on a suspected accommodation fire indicated on the panel. 

Fire team, updating the leader with information. 

Fire team, practicing safe fire door drills. 

O.I.M and his Deputy, reading through the Emergency response plan.

O.I.M updating the platform personnel, on the situation. The deputy O.I.M calling the coast guard, for exercise purposes informing them of our drill, and establishing helicopter response times.

The scribe, updates relevant information, like wind direction and sea conditions incase we needed to evacuate. 

Highest point in the north sea.

The BP Miller, has the tallest flare stack in the North Sea, at 162m high, 

(4m taller than Blackpool tower)

Caught our breath back, after a lung busted 15 ladder climb. 

Image of the Brae Bravo platform, from the top of BP Miller flare. 

Oil rig boxing.

Offshore, oil and gas rig catering crew.

Today we meet, the small team involved in feeding and looking after all 80 workers, on a North Sea oil and gas platform. 

These guys do a fantastic job, with such a small team in cleaning, preparing meals and trying to keep moral high for a large crew of guys. Who are working hard in all weathers, away from home for long periods, missing their families.

It is un-measurable their involvement, but any rig worker will tell you, that a clean accommodation and a good hearty meal, makes for a happy crew. 

Roast beef, and Yorkshire puddings... must be Sunday! 

Thanks

Lee

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BP Miller decommissioning core crew.

This fine body of men.... 

Are one half of the Petrofac core crew involved with the mammoth task of decommissioning and removing a north sea oil rig. While this crew is offshore, our opposite numbers are at home on leave. 

This group is made up of the management, technical authorities, and lead technicians, that are required on board to keep a rig running safely.

Petrofac O.I.M.

Petrofac Project Manager.

Petrofac Project Manager.

The above, were the Petrofac offshore management for the project, all with different attributes and experiences, but all shared one key value - people skills.

You can be the most knowledgeable leader, but if your team are not supporting you, then you might as well give up.

These gents led by example, with integrity, and support. When the chips were down, could pick the whole team back up. Inspirational. 

Now we called in back to backs and so all the core crew now on board, for the task of shutting down the platform. A mammoth task, completed with safety at the forefront and ahead of the schedule.  

Offshore - O.I.M

The Petrofac O.I.M for the BP Miller decommissioning project.  

The Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) is the most senior manager of an offshore platform operating on the UKCS.

Many offshore operators have adopted this UK offshore management model and title and applied it to their operations in all global regions irrespective of the local regulations in force.

In the UK the individual must be officially registered as an OIM with the Offshore Safety Division of the Health and Safety Executive and the OIM is responsible for the health, welfare and safety of the personnel on board the installation, whether a drilling rig, production platform or a support vessel (e.g. a flotel).

Thanks

Lee

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Rig removal. North sea.

North sea oil and gas rig.

Hello, long time no see...

Well... Hello, its been a while. 

Lets catch up, 

Most will know, that my day job is working in the oil and gas industry.

Since January i have been involved with the decommissioning of a north sea oil and gas rig, called the BP Miller. 

The picture taking had to take a back seat. The next post will explain in more detail what the project entails. 

But stick around, i have uploaded lots of content which will be coming out on a weekly basis, a new post every Sunday. 

So please subscribe, and follow the story and images of life offshore in the oil and gas industry on a decommissioning project. 

Thanks

Lee

Drone Photography.

Good afternoon, 

I recently worked with a drone company based in Chesire, 

 www.aerialaperture.co.uk

They sent over some RAW image files for me to edit, for a golf club client of theirs. 

I have been on the sideline for some time with the popularity of the drones. Although the video quality is improving year on, If i am honest i was very sceptical of the image stills quality. Plus for a decent kit it is a very large investment.

5 RAW files used to create the final first image. All shot with the DJI inspire drone.

I was certainly impressed with the quality of the stills, and the machine can shoot in DNG RAW files which are nice to work with. The out of camera files are as you can see a little flat. But that is ideal for a professional editor like myself. I can then use the multiple exposure files to edit together and create a piece which stands out, retains information and adjustable to the clients needs / tastes. 

Without viewing the drone in action i can only speculate, but it does appear that these bracketed RAW images are fired off in a rapid burst. (in the golf course images there are people moving which gave me a good idea of the time.)

If you are a drone photographer / operator and are looking to improve on the quality of the stills that you are producing for your clients, then please use the contact page and we can sort out an editing training package.

Also if you require any aerial imagery then i can recommend Aerial Aperture. 

"Aerial Aperture operates with Permissions for Aerial Work (PFAW) approved by the Civil Aviation Authority and we are fully insured to carry out unmanned aircraft operations across the UK.

Our aerial photography drone services cover a wide spectrum of capabilities which include; aerial photo services, property/land imagery, drone surveying, aerial view maps, drone industrial inspections, agricultural surveying, drone weddings, events, media and promotions. 

 Our goal for every project is to capture material that is of the highest quality whilst maintaining the highest levels of safety. For every job we undertake, we carry out a series of detailed assessments to ensure safe and reliable operations. We tailor our services to each customer's individual needs. - Justin of Aerial Aperture." 

Any questions or a friendly chat about drone photography, please contact me. 

Thanks

Lee

Lytham St Annes Wedding.

Good morning, A few images from a recent wedding. 

Congratulations Maia and Martin. 

Financial district, London.

Nikon D800 f8 1/20th ISO100 24-70mm@24mm

Good morning, 

An image of Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs London's Financial district, with CITI, HSBC and Barclays buildings shown. A nice brisk 0430am, wrapped up warm. 

Please feel free to share this post on your social media, giving credit to the photographer Lee Ramsden www.leeramsden.com

Thanks

Big Ben, black and white. London.

Nikon D800 f13 5min ISO100 70-200mm@100mm

Hi all, 

Above is an image taken from Jubilee Bridge on the river Thames of Big Ben's clock face, Westminster. 

Please feel free to share this post on your social media, giving credit to the photographer Lee Ramsden www.leeramsden.com

Thanks

River Thames, Big Ben and London Bridge.

Nikon D800 f11 5min ISO100 24-70mm@50mm

Morning, 

Here is an image taken on Jubilee bridge at sunrise of London bridge on the river Thames with Westminster and Big ben in the distance. 

Please feel free to share this post on your social media, giving credit to the photographer Lee Ramsden www.leeramsden.com

Thanks