Conoco "Murchison" Oil Production Platform

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Conoco MURCHISON Oil Production Platform

AssociatedAssociated with Conoco (UK) Limited

AssociatedAssociated with Murchison (Oil Platform)

Model Maker Donald Smith Model Makers

Date1979 - 1995

Object NameModel

Mediumplastic and metal

ClassificationsNorth Sea Oil and Gas Industries

DimensionsJacket: 500cm
Topside: 342 x 200 x 480cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1997 by Conoco (UK) Ltd .

LocationOn Display - Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Object numberABDMS003464

Keywords

About MeThis is a 1:33 scale model of the Murchison production platform, which is located in the North Sea. Murchison is one of the UK's most northerly oil fields, situated 120 miles north east of Shetland. Oil production began in 1980.

The upper part of the model, known as the topsides, was built by Murchison's operators, Conoco, in the late 1970s. It was an engineering model, used to help design the platform. Half of the model retains this appearance while the other part has been altered to look as the platform does offshore.

It would have taken a team of about 10 model makers more than two years to construct. These models were proving models, if the model makers could not make it without clashes etc, then the fabrication yard would have the same problem. The models were all about getting the best design and having an uninterupted build on site.

The lower section, or jacket, was built by Donald Smith Modelmakers in 1995. This gives an impression of the platform's full extent from the seabed upwards.

Murchison was subject to a decommissioning programme which involved the removal of the topside modules, and subsequently the steel jacket for recycling in Norway. Basically the process was a reverse of what took place when the platform was installed.