An industrial  film by Cygnet Films commissioned by Phillips Petroleum Company, which looks at the oil industry on Teesside, in particular the large Phillp's Petroleum refinery development on the north bank of the Tees in the 1970’s. The film shows in detail the location of the Ekofisk oil platform off the coast of Norway and the two pipelines which run from it, one to Emden in northern Germany and the other to Seal Sands and Greatham on Teesside. The film shows the construction of the...

An industrial  film by Cygnet Films commissioned by Phillips Petroleum Company, which looks at the oil industry on Teesside, in particular the large Phillp's Petroleum refinery development on the north bank of the Tees in the 1970’s. The film shows in detail the location of the Ekofisk oil platform off the coast of Norway and the two pipelines which run from it, one to Emden in northern Germany and the other to Seal Sands and Greatham on Teesside. The film shows the construction of the refinery acknowledging the sensitive environment in which it is being built. The opening view is of a sunrise over the sea with seagulls flying overhead. The sun penetrates the clouds as waves break on the shore. Title: Landfall Teesside [shortly before title, sound breaks up] Strong breakers crash on the shore, while the commentary outlines the quest for oil in the North Sea. An aerial view follows of the Ekofisk oil platforms off the coast of Norway, operated by Phillips Petroleum, Norway. A superimposed figure follows on screen that reads 3,000,000,000 dollars, which will be the cost of the whole project, to bring oil from the Ekofisk field to Teesside and natural gas to Emden in Germany. The film cuts to crowds walking along the city streets in London (?) Part of the steel structure that will support a future oil is manoeuvred into position by special equipment. As it enters the sea it rights itself in order to sit on the sea bed. A view of a tug in high seas follows, followed by a close up of the structure of an oil platform being battered by waves. An aerial view shows a concrete oil storage tank at one end of the Ekofisk platform complex.  A welder works on some pipework; another worker fits a gauge or regulator. The commentator explains the whole installation is known amongst oilmen as Ekofisk City. The following view is of a worker out on the sea hanging on to a length of pipeline that is being manoeuvred by crane. The pipe will be connected between an oil tanker and a special floating module used for oil transfer. However this process, the commentary explains is often hampered by weather conditions. Closer views follow of the concrete storage tank, part of the Ekofisk platform complex, that was built to alleviate some of the transfer problems, but divers still struggle to a secure a transfer connection. The only solution to overcome these problems is to build a pipeline to the shore. An illustrated diagram appears on screen, showing the Ekofisk platform. An outline of Great Britain appears, then an outline of Europe. A line appears from the Ekofisk platform that crosses the North Sea to Teesside, showing the route of the proposed pipeline. Another pipeline of a similar length will also go from the platform to Emden in northern Germany; this pipeline will carry natural gas. The film cuts to show the commercial logos of the firms involved in the project, these firms constitute Phillips Petroleum Norway which, along with Statoil, the Norwegian state owned oil company, will form a joint company ‘Norpipe’ which will run the entire oil transportation system with Phillips Petroleum Company Norway being the operator. The diagram shows where boosting stations will be built on both pipelines, to aid the passage of oil and gas over more than 200 miles. The commentary goes on to explain that crude oil and natural gas liquids will be pumped to Teesside and natural gas will be directed to Emden. The film cuts to views of the rooftops and smoking chimneys of Middlesbrough. The commentary gives a brief history of the town. A view follows of the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough ferrying cars and foot passengers across the Tees. A low angle view follows of Middlesbrough Town Hall followed by Corporation House tower opposite. Internal views follow of the Cleveland Centre shopping mall, as a family descend into the main shopping area by escalator. The film cuts to the waterfall feature just out Teesside Law Courts on Victoria Square. Out to sea again and an aerial view follows of one of the structures involved in the building of the pipeline. The commentary states that 220 miles of 34-inch diameter pipework will need to be welded together.  A work area that is reminiscent of a car assembly line shows the 40 feet sections of concrete covered pipe being joined together by teams of welders. The pipe is laid on the seabed and some 30,000 sections will be joined together to complete the work. The commentary states that calm weather is for this operation. The film cuts to the golf course at Seaton Carew where a golf ball is struck from a tee. The pipeline will make landfall on the coast nearby. A golfer on the green attempts to hole his ball with a gentle putt. The ball falls just short of the hole. A diagram outlines the layout of the new terminal, and shows a representation of the plant that will be used to receive the crude oil and natural gas liquids from the Ekofisk complex. An aerial view shows the site of the oil terminal. The film cuts again to the diagram showing more details of the construction of the terminal. The area of Seal Sands on the Tees estuary is shown on the plan and land will be reclaimed here for the terminal. Land at Greatham near Hartlepool will also be reclaimed, where large storage tanks will be built to store the crude oil. The plans also show the different functions of the installation at Seal Sands. When finished it will be one of the largest plants of its type in the world. Aerial views show how the pipeline will be laid across mud flats in the Seal Sands area. Back to the diagrammatic plan, with some added animation explaining how the terminal will work. Oil is pumped from the Ekofisk field where oil and natural gas elements. The stabilised oil is pumped to the tank farm at Greatham, where 7.5 million barrels of oil can be stored. The diagram then shows oil being pumped into tankers for transport. The diagram shows where natural gas will be separated into its individual components. The methane extracted will be used to power the plant, other chemical components of the gas can be used to produce feedstock and products for the blending of motor fuel. The diagram also shows the new berths and docks that will built to accommodate large tankers and other specialised vessels. It is expected a 1000 vessels a year will call at the refinery. The film cuts to a view of Victoria Square in Middlesbrough and the town hall. [Superimposed over a picture of a man seated behind a desk is the credit: Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Managing Director, Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority] Mr Robinson outlines the benefits to Teesside of the refinery project. The film cuts to men working amongst scaffolding on part of the refinery while others work on foundations for the oil processing plant nearby. Mr Robinson outlines the amount of shipping traffic likely to come into the Tees once the refinery starts operations. The film cuts to a crane working on a pipe set vertically in the seabed. General views of drilling work taking place. Mr Robinson also outlines the responsibility that the developers of the refinery have for the environment, and because of this monitoring of atmospheric and water quality is a priority. Aerial views follow of the building of oil storage tanks. The commentary explains that the tanks have a special type of floating roof. Views follow of a welder working on the construction of one of the tanks. Next, a crane moves some of the sections of concrete covered pipe. To give a sense of scale, two workers walk out of one the sections of pipe. A close up view follows of a welder at work on the pipeline. An aerial view follows of a marshy area of the Tees estuary. [Music – Blue Danube Waltz] A solitary man walks across mud flats carrying a bucket. A lorry makes its way across the muddy landscape towards the camera. The film cuts to a surveyor looking through a theodolite as he surveys the land. General views follow of heavy earth moving equipment in action. General views show excavation work and a new concrete structure being built. Other views show tall concrete columns and similar structures. Next a view of a spherical vessel being built for storage followed by general views of other steel structures, followed by a view of pipeline valves stacked together awaiting installation. A travelling view follows of the installation site, then aerial views follow of steel structures, oil storage tanks, and new berths for ships visiting the refinery. Men using ladders climb some of the vertical pipe-like structures. These will act as supports for a finished plant item. General views show the range of different structures being built to create the refinery. Four tanks being built will hold the ballast water from visiting tankers. At this part of the plant the water will be purified and returned to the river. Spherical vessels will hold thousands of barrels of crude oil arriving from the North Sea pipeline. General views show men working on the internal construction of one of these vessels. Buildings that will house office and administration facilities are shown next. The buildings will also provide cafeteria, workshop and stores facilities and a fire station and control rooms. General views show workers fitting out the interior of the office building. A view follows of an oil tanker at a berth on the river, followed by a view of men working on one of the new berths at the refinery. Piles are driven into the ground to provide secure mooring for ships. More views follow of oil processing vessels being constructed, some of these installations will be used to provides steam at high temperatures and high pressure. Environmental concerns are addressed, with general views of houseboats at Greatham. A notice placed near a footpath reads, ‘Seal Sands Hide’ with an arrow pointing the way. A man with binoculars makes his way to the hide. At a housing estate an earth bank has been constructed near some local roads which is designed to obscure the view of the tank farm at Seal Sands. General views follow of work on the site, followed by a white van pulling a trailer. The vehicle tours the site perimeter and functions as the monitoring unit checking on environmental pollution. The man driving the van stops the vehicle then goes to check on the monitoring equipment in the back of the van. He checks samples for any contaminants. A small sphere emerges from the van roof, presumably an item of monitoring equipment. Seagulls fly over the water treatment plant, where treated contaminated water is discharged into the river as clean water. The diagram showing the Ekofisk terminal seen earlier in the film, outlines the comprehensive communications system. The commentary states that effective radio communication will involve access to the Ekofisk platform with radio links to Teesside, Emden in Germany and Stavanger in Norway. A general aerial view follows of the refinery development, followed by a man welding, an aerial view shows the storage tank farm at Greatham and the film ends with a view of the refinery from out at sea. End Credit: Produced by Cygnet Films Ltd for Phillips Norway Group.