The well-known Murchison platform may have been decommissioned, but its history is set to be preserved following a joint project by CNR International and Capturing the Energy. 

The Murchison field is one of the most northerly in UK waters, with high winds, icy rain and huge waves throughout the year. Despite this, the Murchison platform was seen by many as the friendliest in the North Sea.

First oil from the Murchison came ashore in September 1980. Now, after 34 years and around 400 million barrels of production, only the footings remain of the 27,000-tonne, 250m-high structure.

CNR worked closely with Capturing the Energy to collect records and artefacts from Murchison, so that this legendary platform could be celebrated long after its removal.

A large volume of documents were surveyed by Capturing the Energy, supported by the Business Archives Council of Scotland, and fascinating records of the Murchison such as installation manuals, operating procedures, engineering specifications, safety reports and risk assessments, photographs, OIM diaries and log books are now part of the University of Aberdeen's Oil and Gas Archive. 

The date range of the collection reflects machinery and equipment acquired from companies well in advance of the initial construction and design of the platform with the vast majority of the documentation and drawings dating from the mid 1970s onwards. 

Catalogue link - MS 4022