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Posts Tagged ‘Forties field’

Forties turns 50

Posted in Offshore Energy - General, UK, tagged , , , , on November 3, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Forties Alpha platform, UK sector of the North Sea

JL Daeschler informs me that the famous Forties field in the North Sea turned 50 today. The field, which has produced 2.86 billion barrels of oil, was inaugurated in Aberdeen by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 November 1975.

Queen Elizabeth inaugurated Forties field production.

Marking the Forties field’s half-century, the current operator Apache said it stood as a testament to Scottish grit, industrial excellence, and enduring human spirit.

In November 2024 Apache said it had suspended new drilling and would end all its operations in the North Sea by 2029. ☹

Bucks Fizz performed on a Forties field platform in the 1980s

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On the 50th anniversary of UK North Sea production, some thoughts from JL

Posted in energy policy, Offshore Energy - General, UK, tagged , , , , , , on June 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Argyll first production
Queen Elizabeth inaugurates the Forties field
Queen Elizabeth: a day of “outstanding significance in the history of the United Kingdom” and a “critical milestone in the development of our energy resources.”  

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!

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