Flotta Oil Terminal.

Hello,

Today id like to share a few images taken at Flotta oil and gas processing terminal.

The Flotta Terminal is located on the island of Flotta in the Orkney Islands just north of mainland Scotland. It was commissioned in 1977, with Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited becoming the major shareholder and operator in May 2000. The terminal covers a 395-acre site, approximately one-sixth of the area of Flotta Island. Crude oil is imported to the Flotta Oil Terminal from several offshore installations through a 30” subsea pipeline. The pipeline is fed from the following Repsol Sinopec Operated fields; Claymore, Scapa, Piper ‘B’, Tweedsmuir, Tartan, Highlander, Duart, Petronella, Galley and Nexen’s operated Golden Eagle field.

The crude oil processing facilities consist of three separate crude stabilisation trains operating in parallel. This allows a design maximum plant flowrate of 375,000 bbl/d to be processed between the three trains.

The stabilised crude is then transferred to the Crude Oil Storage area with the Desalter wash water transferred to the Desalter Water Treatment plant.

There are currently insufficient volumes of gas supply to sustain the operation of the gas processing plant; as such the gas plant facility was decommissioned in 2017/2018. Gas from the overhead stabilisation process is utilised as fuel gas at the hot oil heaters and powerhouse which generate site electricity using duel fuel turbines. Any excess gas is used at the powerhouse, where there is spare generating capacity to allow additional power export to the national grid.

Oil Rig.

Hello,

How are you?

Today id like to share 4 images of an North sea oil and gas platform.

There have been a few images on this blog now and more to come.

I would like to know what your thoughts are on the camera used to take these images?

Ill reveal in the next rig post.

Have a good weekend.

Lee

Accommodation at sea

Hello,

Id like to share a couple of images of the accommodation vessel the Safe Boreas attached to the side of the Mariner A platform.

Again as previously talked about, all about the timing. There is around 2 hours difference between these two images.

Have a good weekend.

Lee

The Mariner A oil and gas platform

Hello,

Today i thought that i would talk about the oil / gas rig that you will have seen images of. I was involved with the construction of this beast. At any one time there was 850 people offshore.

As oil rigs go, this is a one of kind.

The Mariner oilfield is located in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea, about 150 kilometres (93 mi) east of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, in block 9/11a. It was discovered in 1981 at a depth of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) below sea level. Water depth in the area is about 100 metres (330 ft). Estimated recovery is at least 250 million barrels (40×106 m3) of oil. 

As of December 2012 the operator, Statoil (now Equinor), made the investment decision and final approval of the field development plan by the UK authorities is in progress. The plan envisages a production, drilling and quarters platform based on a conventional steel jacket, exporting oil via a floating storage unit.

The oil is heavy and viscous, with API gravities of 12.1°–14.6° and viscosities ranging from 67cp in the field's Maureen reservoir to 508cp in the Heimdal reservoir. The small volume of associated gas will be used as fuel for the platform, and more fuel gas will be imported via a connection to the nearby Vesterled pipeline.

In summary

It took over 35 years to work out how to extract this super heavy thick oil. The diluting solution that mixes with the oil, thins it out, and we end up with an even better product. As this platform isn’t on a pipe line, she is connected a large vessel, known as an FSU (floating storage unit) This FSU pumps the diluting solution to the platform, and the platform then pumps back the recovered oil. A large tanker comes into the field every few days to collect the produced oil.

Amazing isn’t it.

Have a good week.

Lee

Prosafe - Safe Boreas

Hello,

I want to share some images taken of an accommodation vessel..

The Safe Boreas is the most advanced and efficient harsh environment accommodation vessel in the world, constructed to comply with Norwegian regulations.

The vessel has the capacity to accommodate 450 persons in single man cabins.

The layout of the unit is unique, with two large internal atriums allowing natural daylight into cabins, mess room and recreational areas.

The vessel is named after Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind and the bringer of cold winter air.

The name reflects that the vessel is designed for operating in the Norwegian and UK North Sea, a geographical area renown for its cold climate and harsh winters.

The key is to wait...

Hello how are you?

Have you had a good festive period.

Thats it all over and back to normal for me now.

Q. What is the difference with the above images?

A. About half an hour..

It is amazing how waiting can have such a difference to your images.

In half an hour the sky semi cleared, even look at the sea, waves calmed down and the setting sun caught the clouds nicely.

So please take your time, slow down, bag the image and then wait till the suns gone as you never know how mother nature will react…

Have a great weekend.

Lee

Oil and Gas platform.

Hello,

Today i would like to share three images, all taken within a few minutes on one another,

I thought it gives a good visual on the setting sun and blue hour.

Sometimes there isn’t a spectacular sun set.

With these industrial beauties, blue hour is my favourite as the contrast against the warm flood lights look amazing.

I hope that you have a good weekend,

Be sure to subscribe to keep up to date.

Lee

Oil and Gas platform.

Hello and welcome

Today i’d like to show these two images of the Mariner A, Uk North sea oil and gas platform.

hope that you have had a great weekend.

and if you have not yet subscribed to my newsletter then please do below.

Lee

Crane operator, working the supply vessel.

Hello, 

Today ill like to show how an oil rig offloads new supplies, which range from equipment, tools and most importantly food! 

While it is down to the crane operator to offload the containers from the supply vessel, it is all orchestrated by the offshore materials coordinator. 

The materials controller duties:

• Arranging for the despatch and delivery of materials and goods

• Making sure that materials and equipment have the necessary certification.

• Ensuring that relevant stores are aware of deliveries and that they allocate space for goods on arrival.

• Chasing up suppliers to ensure goods and materials are delivered on time to meet business needs.

• Maintaining the materials management system.

• Preparing reports on materials receipt and delivery and on the performance of suppliers

• Acting as a focal point for suppliers and internal departments for questions about materials scheduling, problems, and the like.

Norwegian supply vessel crew, unhooking the containers. 

Rig removal. North sea.

North sea oil and gas rig.

Day shift on the ropes.

Fuji X-T1 F4 1/125 ISO1600

A few images taken from a recent trip offshore on the Talisman Auk platform in the North sea. 

Fuji X-T1 F7.1 1/125 ISO1600

Fuji XT-1 F5.0 1/125 ISO1600

Fuji X-T1  F1.8 1/125 ISO1600

Fuji X-T1 F1.8 ISO1600

Fuji X-T1  F1.4 1/125 ISO1600

Talisman Auk north sea oil rig - part 2.

Fuji film X-T1 f4 1/180 ISO400

Morning, 

Following last weeks post, i thought id share a couple more images from my time on the Talisman AUK oil and gas rig in the north sea. 

Fuji film X-T1 f8 1/180 ISO200

Drilling rig in the distance.

Fuji film X-T1 f10 1/80 ISO1000

Fuji film X-T1 f2 1/80 ISO1000

Electrical inspection of the fire and gas system.

Fuji film X-T1 f2 1/80 ISO1000

Fuji film X-T1 f2.8 1/125 ISO1250

Fuji film X-T1 f3.2 1/30 ISO1250

Fuji film X-T1 f2.8 1/125 ISO1250

If you have enjoyed these oil and gas industry images,

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

Many Thanks

Talisman 40 year old north sea oil rig - Auk

The Auk Oilfield is situated 249 kilometres (155 mi) east, southeast of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was operated by Shell UK in 50% partnership with ESSO until October 2006 when it was bought by Talisman Energy, and is now licensed by Talisman Energy. It was discovered in October 1970 in a water depth of 182 metres.

Drawing courtesy of google images

Production started in December 1975 from the Auk 'A' platform. This platform is a steel, 8 legged jacket designed by Shell Oil and constructed at Methyl Fife Scotland. This jacket weighs 3,414 tonnes and support a topside weight of around 8,000 tonnes.

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/125 ISO200

Helicopter Departures.

Fuji film X-T1  f5.6 1/125 ISO200

Our transport to the platform, ready for action. 

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/125 ISO800

For me to be able to take picture offshore, it is well controlled. Permit to work, and gas tests are required. 

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/60 ISO800

Flaring off excess gas. 

Fuji film X-T1  f3.6 1/60 ISO800

Our office, where the magic happens. 

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/60 ISO800

Technician climbing to his work front. We use IRATA - industrial rope access techniques and procedures to work at height safely. 

Fuji film X-T1  f1.6 1/60 ISO800

SKN electrical technician.

Fuji film X-T1  f1.6 1/80 ISO800

Electrical inspections being carried out. 

Fuji film X-T1  f4 1/60 ISO800

After all that climbing, a cup of tea is required. 

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/60 ISO800

Off shift movie time. 

Fuji film X-T1  f2.8 1/60 ISO1250

40 year old ensuite rooms. 

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/60 ISO1250

Bunks fit for a king.

A fact which i found funny - The field is named after the Auk a family of sea birds. There is a legend that it was to be called A UK, as the first British oilfield, until somebody realised that the sixth field would be called F UK and Shell's policy was rapidly changed to name their fields after sea birds. Shells sixth UK oilfield is called Fulmar.

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

Thanks

Working in the oil and gas industry - Travel.

Fuji film X-T1  f8 1/80 ISO200

Morning, 

I thought that it has been awhile since i have brought this blog offshore with me, and so today i am posting some pictures of the largest part of working away... The travel. 

Next week's post is from the North sea oil platform. 

I hope that you enjoy.

Fuji film X-T1  f4.5 1/80 ISO200

Train one of four.

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/125 ISO400

My largest company expense is travel.

Each year the prices go up, and the service goes down....

Fuji film X-T1  f8 1/60 ISO200

Train two pulling into the station. 

Fuji film X-T1  f9 1/30 ISO200

Train number three

Fuji film X-T1  f18 1/15 ISO200

Unknown back packers. All aboard train four. 

Fuji film X-T1  f9 1/30 ISO200

Crossing the forth rail bridge. 

Fuji film X-T1  f7.1 1/125 ISO200

Trying to use my time productively and edit some wedding images. 

Fuji film X-T1  f4 1/125 ISO320

Arrived Aberdeen station. 

Fuji film X-T1  f4.5 1/125 ISO320

Aberdeen has the most expensive taxis in all of Europe. Where you can use the Jet bus, it is cheaper. 

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/125 ISO800

They said that the hotel is close to the airport.... they are not wrong. 

Fuji film X-T1  f3.2 1/60 ISO500

Finally - 8 hours later, 4 trains and a bus i can get some sleep. 

And to be honest this is an easy journey. I spent 4 years where i had a train, 5 hours international flight, taxi and then a boat to get to the platform. 

Image courtesy google images

Please check next weeks post where i will display some images taken from the above platform.

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

Thanks  

New Job.

Hello all,

Its has been awhile since my last post. I have been very busy with my job abroad over in Baku - Azerbaijan.

In the last 17 weeks I have been back in the UK less then 2 weeks and so i have been run off my feet.

After new year i will be on a rota and have more time off which is good news,

Here are a few images from being offshore over in Baku. The images were taken on my Canon G10.

Azerbaijan on the world map