±«Óãtv

Murchison oil production platform model

Contributed by Aberdeen Maritime Museum

"Murchison" oil production platform model . ©  Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums Collections

The world's largest oil platform model weighing a quarter of a tonne and standing almost ten metres.Before the days of computer-aided technology engineers used the age-old method of creating scale models of the project they were planning to build. During the days of the North Sea oil boom in the 1970s, oil platform designers built huge models detailing every pipe and valve in order to ensure that the intricate maze of pipework did not clash at any point. This 1:33 scale model consists of two sections. The 'jacket' is the base which stands on the sea floor and supports 'topsides', which contain the drilling, production, accommodation and support modules. "Murchison" stands at 8.5 meters from its base to the helicopter deck making it the world's largest oil platform model. The platform itself is named after Sir Roderick Murchison, a prominent 19th century Scottish geologist. The platform is sited 193 kilometres north east of Shetland, among the most northerly oil fields.

Comments are closed for this object

Share this link:

Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ±«Óãtv or the British Museum. The ±«Óãtv is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.

About this object

Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline

Location
Culture
Period

1979

Theme
Size
H:
980cm
W:
400cm
D:
200cm
Colour
Material

View more objects from people in Highlands and Northern Isles.

Find out more

Podcast

±«Óãtv iD

±«Óãtv navigation

±«Óãtv © 2014 The ±«Óãtv is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.