Published: Thursday, 8th March, 2007 12:00
It’s no place like home...
By News Desk
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Pic by: Dunfermline Press
A FATHER from Cairneyhill who works thousands of miles away in a country he says has “amazing differences” from his homeland is using the experience to teach his children how fortunate they are.
Production technician Gordon McMullan works in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran and has a population of around eight million.
The 46-year-old coaches young Azeri technicians to run a modern oil platform – the East Azeri – for around 30 days at a time, before returning home for a four-week break.
Gordon told the Press, “There’s an awful big difference between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ in Azerbaijan – there’s no middle class, which is very unusual; in Dunfermline wealthy is much more evenly spread out.
“There’s a lot of poverty over there too, especially on the outskirts, and I’ve taken pictures to show my kids how lucky they are.
“There are tough conditions for people and there’s high inflation too.
The price of petrol, gas and electricity has increased by 50 per cent overnight.”
Father-of-three Gordon has been based near the capital, Baku, for 16 months and anticipates the job to last for at least a further three years.
“The oil platforms are worth an absolute fortune and there are another few being built in Azerbaijan, so it could be never ending,” he said. “We teach the locals how to operate the rig and most importantly, how to do it safely. The people are friendly and well-mannered, and have good customs. They’re really respectful and look up to you because you’re teaching them.”
The East Azeri has the biggest well in BP’s world portfolio with one well producing 40,000 barrels of oil a day.
Gordon said it was difficult being away from his home and family, explaining, “It can be quite hard going when I’m out there especially when I’m on nightshift. The phone lines aren’t very good so it can be quite frustrating when you’re trying to call home. It feels great when I’m back.”
Gordon, of Glen Moriston Drive, recalled some enjoyable nights while working on-shore for the first eight months.
“There was a lot of team building and nights on the lash with the locals,” he said. “They drink vodka like it’s water and have a toast to absolutely anything. They can drink us under the table and we’ve had to carry a few boys back to camp.
“But it’s different now on the rig as it’s a lot stricter and there’s no alcohol allowed.”
Gordon and his wife Donna have three children, Connor (14), Jack (13) and Holly (8), who won a recent Dunfermline Press competition to name the new children’s ward at the Queen Margaret Hospital.
The Cairneyhill Primary School pupil’s winning entry was the ‘Rainbow Ward’.
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