2005 The world’s first subsea high pressure, high temperature tiebackThe Rhum field represented a new type of development for BP in the North Sea. Discovered in 1977, the gas reservoir is subject to extreme temperatures and high pressure. BP’s team of engineers developed it using a long distance subsea tie-back to the Bruce platform and in the process achieved a world first.

2008 Continued exploration success in the Central North SeaWhen BP discovered the Farragon and then Kinnoull fields close to the existing Andrew field, the company looked to take advantage of the existing infrastructure in the area. First oil from Farragon was in 2005, while plans to develop the Kinnoull oil reservoir were sanctioned in 2011.

2003 A seismic shift at ValhallIn Norway, BP pioneered the award-winning Life of Field Seismic reservoir surveillance programme in the Valhall field. It’s the world’s first permanent seabed seismic system and has given a living picture of the movement of the reservoir over an eight-year period. More than 120 kilometres of seismic cables were permanently installed.

2005 Development of Europe’s largest oilfield beginsWith an estimated eight billion barrels of oil in place, Clair is the largest oilfield in Europe. The field was discovered in 1977, but it was only with significant advances in technology and innovative engineering that the first phase of development was made possible. Phase 2, Clair Ridge, is currently under way.

2002 World-class enhanced recoveryBP led the way in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. The reservoir injection EOR technique involving gas, called water-alternating gas, significantly extended the field life of two of our assets, Magnus and Ula.

2000 Reality TV programme Big Brother airs for the first time

2002 The euro currency enters circulation

2005 Video-sharing website YouTube launches

2007 The iPhone goes on sale

2009 Barack Obama is sworn in as 44th president of the USA

A Control Room Technician checks the metering readings

for the gas production streams onboard the Bruce platform

The helideck team on board the Clair platform