CHPV continues to follow the latest technologies, and are now able to offer filming and photography from an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone), as a safe and cost effective alternative to conventional aircraft where circumstances permit. We are fully Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) certified (#3404) and insured.
CHPV cameramen have been hanging out of aircraft for over five decades to capture those unique still and video images that an aerial view can give. Though now we would suggest using a UAV (drone) as a safe and cost effective alternative, sometimes only a helicopter will do.
CHPV, Europe's most expereinced offshore media company, celebrates 56 years working for the oil & gas and renewable energy industries, capturing awe-inspiring moments whilst proudly holding a 100% safety record.
Borkum Riffgrund II is an offshore wind farm 54km off the coast of Lower Saxony in Germany, jointly owned by Global Infrastructure Partners and Ørsted and located next to an existing wind farm. CHPV undertook film and photography of the construction for contractors Fred. Olsen Windcarrier and Global Wind Service (GWS), and turbine manufacturer MHI Vestas.
2020 was an incredibly difficult year for everyone, but the team at the East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm endeavoured to keep spirits up with a special Christmas message, filmed by CHPV and edited by Scottish Power Renewables.
Galloper Offshore Wind Farm is an extension of the operational Greater Gabbard Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk, funded by Innogy, Siemens, Green Investment Bank and Macquarie. CHPV was contracted for film and photography of the construction, and played a major role in the inauguration celebrations in London.
Whilst the public are better informed than ever about scientific discoveries, how scientists actually spend their time still remains a mystery to many. This film, made for the Wellcome Trust, follows the day to day life of a Ph.D. student in the life sciences.
Wikinger is Iberdrola's first offshore wind farm in the German sector of the Baltic Sea, approximately 75km from the mainland, close to the Island of Rügen.
Lowestoft's award winning seafront prepares for summer. The CHPV drone team got up very early one morning to capture the magical scene.
When Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy recently installed turbine 51 in the British 714 MW East Anglia ONE project, it reached a significant milestone: the installation of offshore direct drive wind turbine number 1,000, eight years on from the first. Filmed by CHPV edited by Siemens Gamesa.
Following successful development of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, a consortium lead by Statoil, Statkraft and Masdar embarked on the construction of the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm, 32km north of Cromer, off the coast of Norfolk. Once again CHPV charted progress.
Gwynt y Môr is the second largest offshore windfarm in the world, owned jointly by RWE Innogy UK, Siemens, Stadtwerke München and UK Green Investment Bank. CHPV was the natural choice to undertake all their offshore video and photography requirements throughout construction.
CHPV were the project's official media team. Over three years we documented every key stage of the construction of an 88 turbine 317MW wind farm for Scira Offshore Energy Limited (a joint venture between Statoil and Statkraft).
See and hear what it's like to be onboard Fred. Olsen Windcarrier's installation vessel Brave Tern. A 360° virtual tour, made during her operations on the Wikinger Offshore Wind Farm for ScottishPower Renewables.
SSE maintains a dedicated helicopter to service its Greater Gabbard Wind Farm in the Thames Estuary, providing access to turbines even when the sea conditions are too rough for vessel transfer. CHPV flew with them on a typical day.
The decommissioning of Eni's site at Bacton on the Norfolk coast in 2013/14 brought to an end 45 years of its role in processing gas from the North Sea Hewitt Field. CHPV filmed as the site was levelled to the ground in a year-long project.
When Shell decided a major upgrade was needed to its Leman Alpha complex, involving adding an additional platform to its existing four platform structure, CHPV were called on to document the intricate engineering operation, 50km offshore from Bacton in Norfolk.
To show off Bristow Helicopters' latest addition to their fleet - the Eurocopter EC155 - CHPV was commissioned for a shoot that also involved two Sikorsky S-76 aircraft, flying at close quarters up to 10,000 feet through thick cloud. CHPV's Alan O'Neill braved extreme cold to capture some dramatic images.
CHPV is based at OrbisEnergy, the premier location for offshore renewable businesses in the southern North Sea sector. Take a look around inside with CHPV's latest innovative 360° imaging technology.
As part of our services, CHPV regularly supplies high quality footage to broadcast news and documentary organisations around the world. Our specialist training and contacts give us access to places and events that are often inaccessible to regular crews.
Petans is one of the foremost centres for safety and survival training in the UK and worldwide, to OPITO, STCW95 and other relevant standards. CHPV made this film to promote their latest high-tech facility, which provides ultra-realistic environments for live fire fighting training.
We don't just film offshore! CHPV covered the construction of the Mid Hill wind farm extension in Fetteresso Forest, near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire for Global Wind Service/Fred Olsen Renewables. We made extensive use of timelapse photography to capture the action.
If you are working offshore in the North Sea, there's a good chance you will have been shown a safety induction film produced by CHPV (actually, we've also made induction films for the Middle East). We can provide a complete professional package, from script development through shooting with a presenter to delivery on disc or interactive website. This film for Tidal Transit Ltd. crew transfer vessels is but one example of our work.
The fight against climate change is on! This is one of a series of films made by CHPV for RWE Renewables encouraging young people to consider a fulfilling career in the renewable energy sector.
The careers project for RWE Renewables also involved CHPV shooting a series of case studies with some of their employees. In this case, Adeline explains what her job as a Lead Interface Engineer involves and how it suits her lifestyle.
Dubai Petroleum were introducing a new helicopter type and didn't know where to start with the flight safety briefing video, with no reference in the region. CHPV managed the whole exercise, providing the script for approval then mobilising at short notice to Dubai for filming. In the words of HSE Manager Stuart Simpson, "This optimised cost/time and CHPV delivered a high quality product, on schedule. Perfect!"
Everyone whose job involves working at heights has to undergo regular, specialist training in safe working procedures, including fall arrest and work positioning techniques. This applies to CHPV cameramen just as much as to wind farm technicians. They must also be competent to perform an emergency rescue.
Decommissioning Perenco's 1000t Welland platform was achieved with remarkable success. It was completed without incident and within budget, in the middle of the North Sea winter, meeting the highest environmental standards in terms of disposal/reuse. CHPV recorded the achievement.
The jacket for the Dudgeon Wind Farm offshore substation was fabricated at Sembmarine SLP in Lowestoft. A complex lifting operation - the first of its kind in the UK - was undertaken by ALE Heavylift. The project received an industry innovation award.
With fabrication by Sembmarine SLP and Siemens completed in Lowestoft, the offshore substation was delicately moved into position in the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm by Seaway Heavy Lifting's ship Oleg Strashnov.
Nothing remains today of the historically important Tudor home of the Paston family. As part of Paston Footprints project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, CHPV undertook detailed drone filming of the modern day site. A 3D reconstruction of the original building was then inserted into the footage using sophisticated computer techniques to show what the site would have looked like 500 years ago.
In order to test rescue procedures on the Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm site, a multi-service training exercise was held. RWE's construction staff and specialist Emergency Response Team worked with RNLI lifeboat, RAF helicopter, Ambulance and Maritime and Coastguard Agency crews in a series of simulated rescues using dummies instead of real people. The whole exercise was filmed by CHPV for subsequent analysis and training. Project Director Toby Edmonds described it as "vital to ensure our procedures are fully tested and work effectively in the event of a real incident".
Paddleboarding on the River Cam during Covid-19 lockdown in the summer of 2020. A perfect way to relax whilst social distancing.
Lowestoft seafront is unusually quiet during the Covid-19 lockdown, but filming by the promenade CHPV came across a couple of brave souls taking a dip in late autumn
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted greatly on society as a whole. However those who are carers or live with dementia have been particularly affected. Isolation and the lack of social interaction has meant many have suffered.
A short film shot during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in London, documenting the response of AgeUK Camden to the needs of their community.
The title of the film is taken from a saying on a Roman coin found by the Burgh Castle Almanac group at the ruined fort near Great Yarmouth. Recorded over the past year, the film illustrates the activities of the group and the benefits to its members. It is hoped that other parts of the country will take up the BCA model, and this film is seen as a major factor towards achieving that aim.