Oil Strike North

- Season 1

(1975)

Jim Fraser's company Triumph Oil has just three months to find oil in the North Sea. Texan Frank Ward is brought in as Operations Manager to see the operation comes to fruition.

A lorry carrying pipes for the oil rig is involved in a fatal road crash which causes negative press from local journalists. Ward attempts an emergency helicopter lift to get the pipes to their destination.

Triumph Oil start a PR campaign to counter stories by local newspaper editor Angus Gallacher who stirs up MP Calvert. Ward and McGraw's relationship reaches breaking point when they disagree about policy.

Pete Webber embellishes his experience as a diver in order to earn big money on the oil rig. On his first dive, loosening cables from a fallen pylon, he panics, causing serious injury to colleague Dave Lincoln.

With the three-month deadline imminent, Triumph is running behind in the search for oil and gas. With the government threatening to go to President Oil, Frank Ward's past comes back to haunt him.

A Russian trawler is abandoned after an explosion and is now heading towards to North Sea oil field. Triumph want the ship sank because it is carries sodium nitrate but it may also contain an injured sailor.

Newspaper editor Angus Gallacher starts to campaign against local residents, who are selling their property to the highest bidder. Frank and Julie Ward gets wined and dined by rivals at President Oil.

The oil rig workers bad reputation ashore is tarnished by the newspapers. Mullery befriends a beautiful stranger which enrages her boyfriend. Ward finds himself sued over an injury on the rig.

A storm has damaged Triumph's supply ship, leaving it in dock. With supplies running short Cameron pulls the crew from a wedding to get a replacement to the rig as soon as possible.

With the Government is pushing for oil, Jim Fraser wants Frank Ward to be less cautious while drilling and push on regardless of the risk. Julie Ward goes missing while horse riding near cliffs.

With Triumph close to production, Jim Fraser's stock has never been higher, so when a vacancy appears on the board he should be favourite. Meanwhile, the French oil industry looks to recruit Frank Ward.

Frank Ward decides to remain in Scotland but wants a better deal. With everybody waiting for the predicted oil output, Shona uses her friendship with Donald to get an exclusive for the Gazette.

A heavy storm arrives, and a Met Buoy has come loose from its anchor and is trapped between the legs of the rig. Frank Ward has to get seventy men to safety in case the weather causes a collapse.