Located 270 kilometres northeast of Aberdeen, in the North Sea, the Brae Alpha oil platform has been in operation since 1983. Throughout that time, it has been central to offshore energy production in the UK. Along with other platforms in the Brae oil field, it has reached its Cessation of Production point and is scheduled for decommission, dismantling and removal by the end of the decade. Geographically remote and closed to the public, this is a rare opportunity to wander through the depths of a working oil rig, from the windy helideck down to the chemist’s lab and mess hall. Take a walk around the pumps, separators and external wellbays, eavesdropping on the platform’s aural character.
Sound recordist Leigh Reuss-Daters explains about life on the rig: “Everyone onboard knows the sonic rhythms of a contented platform. We are acutely aware that we’re living on top of thousands of tonnes of highly flammable, explosive material. The sheer volume from a crude oil processing plant is impossible to convey but you need to listen for the sounds – they will tell you what’s happening”.
Location sounds and images by Leigh Reuss-Daters.
Technical production by Maties Palau.
The Radiophonic Travel Agency, a free to use resource brought to you by The Radiophonic Institute.
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