Disaster at Sea: The Piper Alpha Story

Disaster at Sea: The Piper Alpha Story (2025)

EndedDocumentary showHistory

On the night of 6 July 1988, 120 miles off the coast of Aberdeen, a devastating series of explosions ripped through Piper Alpha, one of the North Sea's flagship oil platforms. By the time dawn broke, Piper Alpha was in ruins. 167 men would die, only 61 survived.

Six months later a Public Inquiry was launched, led by Lord Cullen. It revealed that behind the disaster was a flawed safety culture within the main US owned operator, Occidental, and in the North Sea more widely. But no criminal charges were brought. It remains the world's deadliest offshore oil and gas disaster.

Now, 37 years later, Disaster at Sea: The Piper Alpha Story will revisit the events of that night and the months beyond, to reveal a bigger, untold story of the rush for North Sea ‘black gold', the working families shattered by Piper Alpha and the legacy of the disaster on industry and individuals for decades to come.

At the heart of the series will be the unique and compelling testimony heard in the Cullen Inquiry. Revoiced by actors, the words of the men who lived through that night tell a remarkable human story, one that speaks to tragedy, heroism, and an uncompromising quest to uncover the truth.

Network

Last Episode

The Perfect Storm
Season 1Episode 358 min

The Perfect Storm

With Piper Alpha gone, survivors' evidence becomes key to the truth. The inquiry reveals fatal errors, ignored warnings and failed systems. Will there be justice?

Aug 24, 2025

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E03The Perfect StormAug 24, 2025
S01E02Dark Cloud Over AberdeenAug 24, 2025
S01E01The Golden TicketAug 24, 2025
View all episodesView all seasons

Also known as

  • The Piper Alpha Disaster

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