This summer, we completed a comprehensive series of HSE films for oil and gas company Ithaca Energy. The company operates assets in the North Sea, and we were tasked with creating a suite of training tools to allow workers to complete inductions online. This project was named ‘Green Hats’, after the colour of hard hats new recruits are required to wear on their first trips offshore.
The Green Hats induction project was developed to help reduce the requirement for offshore personnel to deliver as many training sessions, while also consolidating Ithaca’s health and safety policies across all its assets. As well as information relating to Ithaca’s operations and safety culture, each asset would get its own specially shot films.
In total the project required 18 films, hosted on a bespoke e-learning tool, so that users could complete inductions before they travelled offshore.
Signal reviewed all of Ithaca’s accumulated HSE and induction materials, including previous video material, booklets, training manuals and presentations. We consolidated that information, ensuring consistency between assets. With this new distilled content, we were able to create a fresh set of customised HSE training films designed to be used for years to come.
Ithaca Logistics Manager Denise Lovie, said, “The Green Hats project was about much more than creating an induction package. We wanted to provide personnel with a consistent, engaging and high-quality introduction to Ithaca Energy’s safety culture before they ever stepped offshore. Signal understood that vision from the outset and worked closely with our teams to create a suite of training films that reflect our standards, our values and the unique characteristics of each asset.”
Signal’s Managing Director, Jamie Baikie, said, “We had plenty of experience on similar projects, but this was certainly the most involved. At the time it was also the largest single project we had secured, in our 15-year history.”
As well as the content filmed offshore at each of Ithaca’s assets. ‘Green Hats’ also included a drama-based pre-deployment film, shot at NHV’s heliport, messages from the Executive Management Team and OIMs, as well as a high-concept bespoke 3D animation that uses the theme of a boardgame to explain Ithaca Energy’s safety culture.
This ambitious project had a long gestation period, beginning in the summer of 2025. The initial deadline was to deliver a completed ‘pilot’ training package for one asset (the Alba Northern platform) by Christmas 2025. This was intended to serve as a proof of concept for the entire project, after which we would shoot films on Ithaca Energy’s other assets.
In total, our film crews did 29 days filming, 23 of which were offshore, and a further 48 days editing.
Ithaca Logistics Manager Denise Lovie, said, “The result is a lasting resource that supports safety, improves efficiency and delivers a consistent experience for everyone coming to work on our installations.”
Creative Director at Signal, Mark turner said, “We are so grateful to Ithaca for trusting us with this important project. It was logistically and creatively challenging but will ultimately help protect the lives of workers offshore. That’s an achievement to be proud of.”
Signal is Aberdeen’s leading video production company; based in Scotland with the ability to film onshore and offshore, anywhere in the world. This project continues its long-standing partnership with the global energy and engineering sectors, producing award-winning films that combine technical accuracy with impact.