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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.

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Location
Culture
Period

1979

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

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