The current manager of BP’s ETAP project has described how a Press and Journal article altered the course of his career.
Colin Reid was 21 when he read the piece on the Eastern Trough Area Project.
He said: ““It described this new exciting development called the Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP). What that project was doing had never been done before and I wanted to be a part of that,” he said.
“I applied and unfortunately it wasn’t to be at the time. BP took the best technicians from all the platforms for ETAP.”
However, the se back didn’t stop him stop the Aberdeen father of four from carving out a successful career offshore.
He completed his apprenticeship on the Miller platform and is now the offshore installation manager (OIM) on ETAP as it celebrates 20 years in production.
He added: “Now as installation manager it really is an amazing feeling to celebrate this facility and milestone. Twenty years on we’re still producing. But we’re also excited about new projects and developments coming to life. We can see life afield into the 2035s and maybe into 2040.
“I hope in 20 years another OIM is having this same conversation, talking about how 20 years ago they wanted to work on ETAP and now they’ve got another 20 years ahead of them.
“If we could keep the hopper of opportunities going, wouldn’t it be great if in 2050 we’re having the same conversation about ETAP’s future.”