BP spearheaded new industry technology in the late 1980s that improved seismic imaging and enabled oil production in the region to increase from virtually nothing in the early 1970s to over 3 million barrels per day within 10 years. The Ula field in Norway began production in 1986 with an expected life of only 11 years, but additional surveys found 400 million more barrels of potential reserves and BP used new technology to further unlock the field's potential, allowing it to still be producing as of 2028. In 1983, the Magnus platform began producing oil off the coast of the UK and was the largest and deepest steel platform ever installed in the North Sea at that time.

1. 1987
BP spearheads industry technology
Improved 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 Halley’s Comet passes
by Earth, and will return in
approximately 75 years
1986
Ula field begins production
Initial 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 up
Magnus, 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
1984 The first Apple Cold War
Macintosh goes on sale
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