1987 BP spearheads industry technologyImproved seismic imaging, enabled oil production in the Region to go from virtually nothing in the early 1970s to more than 3 million barrels per day within 10 years.

1986 Ula field begins productionInitial life expectancy for this Norwegian field was just 11 years. When later surveys revealed an additional 400 million barrels of potential reserves, BP turned to technology to unlock Ula’s potential. Today, Ula relies entirely on enhanced oil recovery techniques, and serves as a hub for adjacent fields. It is expected to produce until 2028.

1983 The UK’s most northerly outpost starts upMagnus, the largest, deepest and most northerly steel platform on the UK Continental Shelf began producing in August. Its jacket was, and likely remains, the largest and heaviest single steel structure ever installed in the North Sea.

Margaret Thatcher visits Forties Delta, 1980

1989 Berlin wall falls, marking the end of the Cold War1984 The first Apple

Macintosh goes on sale

1986 Halley’s Comet passes by Earth, and will return in approximately 75 years

1980 Ronald Reagan wins the presidential election, defeating Jimmy Carter

Princess of Wales visits Forties, 1985

1982 Channel Four launches in the UK

Bruce installation, 1988

Magnus