Lee Ramsden

Loch Brandy

Hello,

I hope that you are well and have had a lovely weekend.

Today I thought Id share a couple of simple shots from a recent hike up Loch Brandy.

Loch Brandy is a superb example of a mountain corrie, backed by craggy slopes and cradling a perfect loch. The walk has the benefit of a very well-constructed path making this a good short and relatively easy hillwalk.

Thanks

Lee

Setting sun in the North Sea.

01 Safe Boreas, Prosafe, accommodation vessel, north sea, oil and gas, flotel, flotation, living, hotel, industrial, photographer, Lee Ramsden.jpg

Hello,

Today i would like to share some images of the setting sun in the North sea.

I have been lucky in my time offshore to see some amazing weather.

A spectacular sun rise, or setting sun in the middle of the sea is something really magical.

02 Safe Boreas, Prosafe, accommodation vessel, north sea, oil and gas, flotel, flotation, living, hotel, industrial, photographer, Lee Ramsden.jpg
03 Safe Boreas, Prosafe, accommodation vessel, north sea, oil and gas, flotel, flotation, living, hotel, industrial, photographer, Lee Ramsden.jpg

I hope that you have a good weekend.

Lee

Neptune Energy Aberdeen

Neptune Energy, drone photography, Aberdeen, Esplanade drive, Lee Ramsden, Lancashire, Professional photography, Aberdeen..jpg

Good morning,

Another Aberdeen office. This is one of the first photos taken with my drone. It was a nerve wrecking flight that’s for sure ha!

Some information on the building.

This commercial building was completed in 2015 for energy firm GDF Suez, designed by the award winning Halliday Fraser Munro. The project value was £8 million. This distinctive building in Aberdeen city centre was winner of the BCO award for ‘Best Commercial Workplace’ in 2015. Judges in the British Council for Offices’ (BCO’s) Regional Awards said the 40,000 square feet riverside development showed what can be achieved by a “clear vision that puts the needs of the occupier centre stage”, while at the same time benefiting the wider community.

The building is now occupied by Neptune Energy, who are an independent exploration and production company in the oil and gas industry, who have a regional focus on the North Sea, North Africa and Asia Pacific with a diverse, gas-weighted portfolio and deep industry expertise.

Have a great weekend.

Lee

Another trip up Blackpool tower.

Blackpool, Blackpool tower, monochrome, black white, reflection, Lancashire photographer, Lee Ramsden

Hello, id like to share some images from another trip working up Blackpool's tower, repairing the illumination lighting at great height. 

Blackpool council, worker, pressure washing, cleaning, sea front steps, golden mile, lee ramsden

Arrived to site early and so I walked the long way there. Was surprised to see early morning council worker cleaning the front. 

Blackpool tower, Wez, IRATA rope access, climbing, electrician

Ropes set, and decent underway. Always told "don't look down" but you have to in this game. 

Blackpool tower, abseiling, industrial worker, in orange ppe, LEE RAMSDEN
IRATA, rope access, level 3, Blackpool, worker, industrial photographer Lee Ramsden

Today repairs ongoing to the heart light. 

Blackpool tower heart light, illuminations
Blackpool illuminations electronics, control gear, electrician, technician

Sophisticated control gear, power the lighting on the Tower, helps it to change colour and be programmable.

blog, sea gull, blackpool, tower, colour, color, lee ramsden

A spectator while working at height. 


 

Thanks for viewing.

 

Lee

Offshore rope access technicians.

blog, Industrial, rope access, IRATA, trade, offshore, oil and gas, safety, acredited, HSE, health and safety, working at height, WAH, photographer Lee Ramsden

Hello, 

Today id like to show some of the IRATA rope access technicians that were involved in the decommissioning of the BP Miller. 

blog, rope access, selective colour, IRATA, abseiler, offshore, oil and gas industry, under deck, BP Miller, BP, Petrofac, ACN, Saipem, Lee Ramsden

Welding on dead weight supports to the risers. 

Blog, welding on the ropes, rope access, IRATA, abseiling, industrial, lee ramsden, BP Miller, oil and gas rig, north sea, offshore, employment, redundancies, oil and gas industry, BP, Petrofac

Rope access welder cutting a riser. 

rope access, IRATA, technician, PETROFAC, north sea, oil and gas industry, abseiler, climbing, rope, industrial, Lee Ramsden.

Long tiring climb back up. 

Happy rope technicians, rope access, IRATA, working at height, oil and gas industry, industrial photographer, Lee Ramsden

Rope techs at height happy in their work. 

BP Miller, breaking containment

blog, breaking containment, breathing, aparatus, BA, compressed air, drilling, BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, Jose, Lee Ramsden, industrial photographer

Hello, 

Today id like to show some images of large task involved when safely decommissioning an oil and gas rig. The task is called breaking containment. 

breaking of containment, gas, h2s, drill, breathing aparatus, BA, oxygen bottle, safety equipment, RPE, industrial photographer, Lee Ramsden

Where pipework has to be cut or flanges opened, we have to prove what was inside the pipe work previously, to ensure that it is safe via a gas test.

breaking,containment, wearing, BA, breathing, saber, drager, aparatus, oxygen bottles, RPE, safety, offshore, oil and gas, Lee Ramsden

To prove that the pipe is safe to cut a gas test is required.  As the pipework has not yet been proven safe, all this is conducted under full breathing apparatus to protect the technicians drilling into the pipes from hazardous substances. 

Breaking containment, drilling, gas testing, breathing aparatus, BA, RPE, safety equipment, industrial, Photography, Lee Ramsden, Offshore, north sea, oil and gas industry
Breaking containment, drilling, gas testing, breathing aparatus, BA, RPE, safety equipment, industrial, Photography, Lee Ramsden, Offshore, north sea, oil and gas industry 02

BP Miller decommissioning Scaffolder.

blog, Scaffodler, Mark Wilson, Marc Wilson, Brand energy, ACN, oil and gas industry, portrait, portrature, selfie, BP Miller, oil and gas rig, Petrofac, BP

The offshore scaffolder. 

They put up and take down scaffolding that allow offshore workers to reach higher levels during construction, decommissioning, maintenance or cleaning tasks.

Blog, Scaffolders, working at height, contruction, decommissioning, outbaord, scaffolding, BP Miller, north sea, offshore, oil and gas industry, Lee Ramsden.

Offshore standby vessel.

Blog, Standby vessel, ship, north sea, Grampain Dee, craig-group, craig group, oil and gas industry, Lee Ramsden, outboard cover, safety

In the UK oil and gas industry, it is a requirement for a standby vessel to be present. These vessels primarily cover helicopter operations and if any work has to be conducted where there is a potential to fail to sea. (known as outboard work). These vessels sit there, day in day out, no matter the weather they provide us with emergency cover and would spring to life and help rescue if the unlikely event ever arose. 

Grampian Dee, offshore, northsea stand by vessel

BP Miller oil and gas installation Helideck.

blog, Miller, helideck, sunset, sunrise, landing pad, offshore, oil and gas industry, north sea, Aberdeen, Lee Ramsden, Petrofac, BP, Saipem

Today id like to show a few single images. In recent times the Civil aviation has instructed for all UK oil and gas installations to install specific lighting set up on their helidecks, if they require flights in the hours of darkness.

The illuminated helideck against a North Sea sunset makes for quite an interesting image. 

Thanks

 

Lee

Fire team emergency response exercise.

blog, Fire team, fire chief, weekly, excercise, drill, muster, practice, oil and gas industry, industrial, firemen, rig, platform, BP Miller, Petrofac, Lee Ramsden 01

Hello, 

Following on from last weeks post, today we see the Emergency response team practicing if there was an emergency inside the accommodation. 

Above is the fire team leader, his role here is directing his fire team, maintaining communications between his team, and the platform control room. 

Emergency response, exercise, breifing, offshore,, oil and gas

The O.I.M setting the scene, and briefing the emergency fire team.  

For exercise - there has been indication of smoke inside the accommodation. 

fire team leader, FLT, offshore, oil and gas, industrail, fire man, firefighter, briefing

Fire team leader, briefing his team on a suspected accommodation fire indicated on the panel. 

blog, Fire team, weekly, excercise, drill, muster, practice, oil and gas industry, industrial, firemen, rig, platform, BP Miller, Petrofac, Lee Ramsden 02

Fire team, updating the leader with information. 

fire men, accomodation fire, exercise, drill, practice, door technique, door drills, back of hand, testing, Jim Coyle, James Coyle, north sea, offshore, oil and gas industry, photo by, Lee Ramsden

Fire team, practicing safe fire door drills. 

Emergency response, exercise, breifing, offshore,, oil and gas

O.I.M and his Deputy, reading through the Emergency response plan.

Emergency response, exercise, breifing, offshore,, oil and gas

O.I.M updating the platform personnel, on the situation. The deputy O.I.M calling the coast guard, for exercise purposes informing them of our drill, and establishing helicopter response times.

Emergency response, exercise, breifing, offshore,, oil and gas

The scribe, updates relevant information, like wind direction and sea conditions incase we needed to evacuate. 

Highest point in the north sea.

blog, Flare view, heighest point, in the, north sea, 162m, BP Miller, oil, gas, rig, platform, Aberdeen, BP,Petrofac, Saipem, Lee Ramsden industrial photographer

The BP Miller, has the tallest flare stack in the North Sea, at 162m high, 

(4m taller than Blackpool tower)

blog, Flare view, rope access, IRATA, industiral, technicians, top of BP Miller, danny king, Petrofac, BP, Saipem, ACN, Steve thorogood, Lee Ramsden, photographer, photography.

Caught our breath back, after a lung busted 15 ladder climb. 

blog, Flare view, pointing, rope access, IRATA, industiral, top of BP Miller, danny king Petrofac, BP, Saipem, ACN, working at height.
blog, Marathon oil, brae Alpha platform, Lee Ramsden, occupational, photography, photographer, industrial, oil and gas, industry

Image of the Brae Bravo platform, from the top of BP Miller flare. 

Offshore, oil and gas rig catering crew.

blog, Catering, chef, campboss, hotel manager, incharge, cooks, kitchen, working, industrial, aramark, offshore, north sea, BP Miller, Petrofac, hotel, Photo by Lee Ramsden.

 

Today we meet, the small team involved in feeding and looking after all 80 workers, on a North Sea oil and gas platform. 

These guys do a fantastic job, with such a small team in cleaning, preparing meals and trying to keep moral high for a large crew of guys. Who are working hard in all weathers, away from home for long periods, missing their families.

It is un-measurable their involvement, but any rig worker will tell you, that a clean accommodation and a good hearty meal, makes for a happy crew. 

blog, Catering, steward, Stan Macintosh, aramark, offshore, north sea, cleaning, cleaner, hospitality, oil rig, BP Miller, Petrofac, hotel, Photo by Lee Ramsden.
blog Catering, chefs, cooks, kitchen, working, industrial, aramark, offshore, north sea, hospitality, oil rig, BP Miller, Petrofac, hotel, Photo by Lee Ramsden.
oil and gas, sunday roast beef, yorkshire pudding, carvary, chef, offshore, north sea, Ronnie Lambert, portrait, by, Lee Ramsden

Roast beef, and Yorkshire puddings... must be Sunday! 

People, made out of food

 

Thanks

 

Lee

 

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BP Miller decommissioning core crew.

BP Miller, decommissioning, offshore, Petrofac, core crew, photo my lee ramsden

This fine body of men.... 

Are one half of the Petrofac core crew involved with the mammoth task of decommissioning and removing a north sea oil rig. While this crew is offshore, our opposite numbers are at home on leave. 

This group is made up of the management, technical authorities, and lead technicians, that are required on board to keep a rig running safely.

Ken Hamon, Petrofac, OIM, offshore installation manager, north sea, BP Miller decommissioning, photography taken by, Lee Ramsden

Petrofac O.I.M.

Stuart Nuttall, Petrofac, Project Manager, offshore installation manager, north sea, BP Miller, OIM, decommissioning, photography taken by, Lee Ramsden

Petrofac Project Manager.

Simon Power, Petrofac, Project Manager, offshore installation manager, north sea, BP Miller, OIM, decommissioning, photography taken by, Lee Ramsden

Petrofac Project Manager.

The above, were the Petrofac offshore management for the project, all with different attributes and experiences, but all shared one key value - people skills.

You can be the most knowledgeable leader, but if your team are not supporting you, then you might as well give up.

These gents led by example, with integrity, and support. When the chips were down, could pick the whole team back up. Inspirational. 

 

BP, Miller, Petrofac, Core crew, oil and gas industry, offshore, north sea.jpg

Now we called in back to backs and so all the core crew now on board, for the task of shutting down the platform. A mammoth task, completed with safety at the forefront and ahead of the schedule.  

Offshore - O.I.M

blog, OIM, offshore, installation, manager, boss, incharge, oil and gas industry, Ken Hamon, north sea, Petrofac, management, control of work, duty holder, BP, Saipem, BP Miller, construction, Lee Ramsden

The Petrofac O.I.M for the BP Miller decommissioning project.  

The Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) is the most senior manager of an offshore platform operating on the UKCS.

Many offshore operators have adopted this UK offshore management model and title and applied it to their operations in all global regions irrespective of the local regulations in force.

In the UK the individual must be officially registered as an OIM with the Offshore Safety Division of the Health and Safety Executive and the OIM is responsible for the health, welfare and safety of the personnel on board the installation, whether a drilling rig, production platform or a support vessel (e.g. a flotel).

Ken Hamon, Petrofac, OIM, offshore installation manager, north sea, BP Miller decommissioning, photography taken by, Lee Ramsden

 

Thanks

 

 

Lee

 

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Rig removal. North sea.

blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 01
Blog, welding on the ropes, rope access, IRATA, abseiling, industrial, lee ramsden, BP Miller, oil and gas rig, north sea, offshore, employment, redundancies, oil and gas industry, BP, Petrofac
blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 02
blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 03
BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, BP, buring, oxygen, acetylene, rig removal, industrial, north sea, photo taken by Lee Ramsden
BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, BP, buring, oxygen, acetylene, rig removal, cutting, burning,  industrial, north sea, photo taken by Lee Ramsden
BP Miller, decommissioning, Petrofac, Saipem, barries, chain, lifting, crane, steel beam, BP, buring, oxygen, acetylene, rig removal, industrial, north sea, photo taken by Lee Ramsden

North sea oil and gas rig.

blog, Flare view, heighest point, in the, north sea, 162m, BP Miller, oil, gas, rig, platform, Aberdeen, BP,Petrofac, Saipem, Lee Ramsden industrial photographer
blog, Rig burning, welding, oxygen, acetylene, cutting, BP Miller, Decommissioning, industrial, removal, Saipem, Petrofac, BP, Lee Ramsden, hotwork 01
S7000 north sea, lifting vessel, Saipem, italian
Lifting vessel, heavy, 14 thousand tonnes, S7000, Saipem
Saipem 7000, heavy lifting, vessel

Hello, long time no see...

Lee Ramsden, portrait, selfie, health and safety advisor, rope access supervisor, lancashire, professional, photographer, photography.

 

 

Well... Hello, its been a while. 

Lets catch up, 

Most will know, that my day job is working in the oil and gas industry.

Since January i have been involved with the decommissioning of a north sea oil and gas rig, called the BP Miller. 

The picture taking had to take a back seat. The next post will explain in more detail what the project entails. 

But stick around, i have uploaded lots of content which will be coming out on a weekly basis, a new post every Sunday. 

So please subscribe, and follow the story and images of life offshore in the oil and gas industry on a decommissioning project. 

Thanks

Lee

blog, Fire team, selfie, breathing aparatus, edited, stylised, torch, Lee Ramsden, photo of lee ramsden, monochrome.