JL Daeschler recalls the inauguration of production at the Argyll field (18 June 1975) and Forties field (3 Nov 1975):
- While some were bitter that Hamilton Brothers, a company owned by 2 brothers from Denver, was able to start production before British giant BP, there was never a race between the companies.
- Instead there was a broad industry effort to initiate production during a financial crisis.
- All operators exercized caution. We learned slowly with safety in mind. There was a great transfer of knowledge between operators small and big.
- BP’s Forties field was a major achievement – designed for 400,000 bopd. 240 miles of 36″ pipeline were required (110 miles offshore and 130 miles onshore). The biggest delay was associated with the pipeline system, not the platform or wells.
- The Hamilton Brothers Argyll field project (30,000 bopd) was not comparable in magnitude, requiring only a few wells and short infield flowlines.
- The inauguration of Argyll (photo above) was with the UK Energy Minister, Ferris and Fred Hamilton, and a Greek tanker captain. There was minimal promotion and PR followup.
- Contrast that with the Forties inauguration (photo above), a big event featuring Queen Elizabeth!
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 