Blast from the past

The year is 1975.

OE's first cover.

Jaws, The Godfather 2, Young Frankenstein, and Tommy are playing at movie theatres. Glen Campbell, David Bowie, and The Captain & Tennille are dominating the radio waves with Rhinestone Cowboy, Fame, and Love Will Keep Us Together, respectively. Plus, a young musician from New Jersey has fans rocking to his newly released album, Born to Run.

You might be grooving to The Hustle on the dance floor or inspired by Carl Douglas to do some Kung Fu Fighting. Or, if at home, you might tune into a new TV show featuring a cast of unknown players (John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, and Gilda Radner) debut on Saturday Night Live.

Muhammad Ali is heavyweight champion of the world after beating Joe Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila. Nicki Lauda is the Formula One World Drivers’ Champion driving his Ferrari 312T. Jack Nicklaus tops the PGA Tour in earnings with $298,149 while a future star is born: Tiger Woods.

Two technologies that dominate the business world today also burst onto the scene: personal computers and portable phones. The personal computer is compliments of newly registered trademarked company, Microsoft. Motorola obtains patent for first portable phone. These technologies changed the world. As did BIC, by introducing the first disposable razor. Lastly, Jimmy Hoffa goes missing and is never found or heard from again.

Certainly not missing in action since 1975 is Offshore Engineer (OE). OE’s launch coincided with first oil production in the North Sea from the Argyll field, which was quickly followed by the Forties field (first gas in 1967).

Across the pond, construction on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline began. It was truly a new era for the oil and gas industry and OE was, has been, and will continue to be there for it all.

The current low oil prices has created uncertainty in the industry. However, the overabundance of supply attributing to low prices is in many ways a testament to the progress of the industry.

Companies are able to extend the life of a field and go to remote regions of the world not previously accessible through advances in technologies.

OE is proud to report on these technologies and the people and companies behind them. Throughout 2015, OE will celebrate the last 40 years with special features, charts, and posters recognizing and celebrating key milestones while keeping our readers abreast of the technology, companies, people, and trends impacting the industry today and tomorrow.