BBC Four

BBC 4

Crude Britannia: The Story of North Sea Oil

Bill Lyons

Crude Britannia: The Story of North Sea Oil: Episode 3

Documentaries

Factual: History

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Episode 3

BBC Four - Crude Britannia: The Story of North Sea Oil, Episode 3

The Gulf War of 1991 brought home the fragility of global energy supplies.

Series telling the story of North Sea oil and gas. The Gulf War brought home the fragility of global energy supplies, and the environmental movement's opposition grew stronger.

Three-part series combining archive footage and eye-witness accounts to tell the dramatic narrative of North Sea oil and gas from the 1960s to the present. It charts the decades when the country made the most of its North Sea windfall, with scarcely a thought about where it came from or of the men and women who brought it to us. Through the story of oil, the series offers a fresh perspective on British politics and society and a timely insight into the state of our economy today.

The first Gulf War of 1991 brought home the fragility of global supplies of energy. Suddenly our North Sea oil and gas were more important than ever, but there were problems looming on the horizon. As oil reserves were used up, oil companies were about to face their biggest challenge yet.  

Getting rid of redundant platforms brought them into a dramatic confrontation with an environmental movement that was growing in confidence and influence. As the flow of oil began to slow down, the oil men and women had to venture into ever deeper waters in the search for new supplies. Their quest would inspire a new generation of awe-inspiring underwater technology. 

With North Sea oil and gas still supplying most of Britain's energy, it may be that the extraordinary national adventure, which began 40 years ago in the North Sea, is far from over.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Series telling the story of North Sea oil and gas from the 1960s to the present

Series combining archive footage and eye-witness accounts to tell the story of North Sea oil and gas from the 1960s to the present, offering a fresh perspective on British politics and society

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Crude Britannia: The Story of North Sea Oil

Episode 3

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Four

About BBC Four