One of Signal’s freelance cameramen, Alex Thomson, recently returned from a two-week offshore assignment over 200 miles northeast of Aberdeen for DeepOcean.
He was tasked with capturing part of the story behind a major decommissioning campaign, which featured cutting-edge operations at the Gryphon floating production vessel—an offshore asset in the North Sea being retired after 30 years of service.
This was far from a typical offshore shoot. Thomson first travelled to Norway to join the vessel before setting sail to the field.
The Gryphon project encompassed the flushing, isolation, and controlled disconnection of mooring lines, as well as production and gas lift lines spread across the site. Additionally, new pressure-retaining blind flanges were installed at critical points throughout the field. DeepOcean, recognised experts in subsea operations, conducted the entire campaign without the use of divers.
Traditionally, such work would require a Dive Support Vessel and a team of saturation divers. However, in a move demonstrating innovation and efficiency, the team utilised a vessel equipped with advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to complete the job safely and effectively.
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With extensive experience in subsea engineering and marine operations, DeepOcean showcased its capabilities in managing a complex and technically demanding decommissioning project.
Signal played a key role in conveying the intricacies of the operation, highlighting how DeepOcean’s expertise and knowledge contributed to the campaign’s success. From pre-mobilisation through to the offshore execution, Thomson filmed on deck, in control rooms, with ROV pilots, and conducted interviews with key personnel. He captured bespoke technology in action, the problem-solving efforts of the teams, engineering challenges, and the close collaboration between the UK and Norway.
From engineering precision beneath the waves to critical operations topside, this project stands as a significant technical milestone.
