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Were you looking for the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell level, Oil Refinery?

SplinterCell 2013-03-09 22-37-53-67

An image of the GFO Oil Rig, as it appeared in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.

The GFO Oil Rig was a Georgian oil platform (also called an offshore platform) located in Georgian waters in the Caspian Sea. It was one of former Georgian President Kombayn Nikoladze's major sites of activity during the Georgian Information Crisis in 2004. An attack from NATO air strikes against Georgian forces destroyed much of the offshore platform, crippling the oil supply.

The GFO Oil Rig was a Georgian oil refinery in the Caspian Sea. It was one of Georgian President Kombayn Nikoladze's major sites of activity during the Georgian Information Crisis.

History[]

2004: Georgian Information Crisis[]

The oil rig was one of several Georgian oil rigs in the Caspian Sea during the Georgian Information Crisis, and it was a major center of communications relay for President Nikoladze's information warfare against the United States. After NATO intervened on behalf of Azerbaijan, which was overrun with Georgian commando cells, Georgian President Kombayn Nikoladze's forces relayed several top-secret communications through the rig. Several cells were lost trying to maintain control of the oil rig, indicating its value in the ongoing conflict. After the NATO airstrikes commenced on the oil rig, it was left largely destroyed by the damage from fighter missiles and the combustible liquids still being pumped throughout the refinery.

Besides supplying the Republic of Georgia with oil, it was also a major center of communications relay for President Kombayn Nikoladze's war against the United States in 2004. After NATO intervened on the behalf of Azerbaijan, which was overrun with Georgian commando cells, Nikoladze's forces relayed several top-secret communications through the rig. Several cells were lost trying to maintain control of the oil rig, indicating its value in the ongoing conflict.

On October 24, 2004, the NSA's Third Echelon sent in Splinter Cell agent Sam Fisher to trail one of Nikoladze's mercenary technicians and retrieve his briefcase laptop that contained sensitive information concerning the Masse Kernels. During the infiltration, much of the GFO Oil Rig was destroyed by NATO airstrikes. It is unknown what became of the oil rig after Sam Fisher's exfiltration from the location.


Pipeline Struts[]

The GFO Oil Rig was connected via a horizontal pipeline that fueled oil through it, the pipe was supported by struts across the sea that lead towards the main Oil Rig decks. During the Georgian Information Crisis, the pipeline and bridge that ran towards the main Oil Rig platforms were destroyed by charges set by Georgian soldiers acting under Kombayn Nikoladze's orders.

The GFO Oil Rig is connected by a long bridge supported by various struts that line multiple sections of the bridge, as well as possessing a oil pipe system that runs underneath. Different types of metal platforms, equipment, and beams are below the platform, complete with ladders to reach the upper halves of the supports. The pipes eventually run underneath the main structure, connected to various other types of pipes connected throughout the entire system. Electrical systems also line the inner workings of the support for much of the platform. On board the oil rig are various types of crude oil and processing equipment that are rather hazardous, meaning they will react violently to any sparks or launched objects (such as bullets from a firearm), causing explosions.

There seems to be only one helicopter landing platform located on the main structure with just enough space to support one helicopter. Below the helicopter platform is a server room complete with multiple computer networks for electronic communications among other things. Much of it was destroyed by Georgian forces during their occupation of the oil refinery.

Trivia[]

  • Originally, there was going to be another part in the Oil Rig level, however it was cut for unknown reasons.
  • The Oil Rig appears in two Splinter Cell games, but both follow the same level: the first it appears in is Splinter Cell while the second appearance is in Splinter Cell: Essentials.
  • For the sake of appearances, Philip Masse's connection to Nikoladze's administration seems to have been explained by Masse being on the GFO Inc. payroll.
  • Vyacheslav Grinko held at least 200 shares in GFO Inc.
  • The bodies of oil rig workers can be found around the facility and inside of crew quarters, killed by Georgian soldiers likely under Kombayn Nikoladze's orders.
  • This location makes a second appearance as a 'flashback level' in Splinter Cell: Essentials.
  • In Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2, there is a mission called "Oil City" that takes place in an oil facility located in the Indian Ocean. While the locations aren't the same, the two environments look very similar to each other. Not to mention, both levels have air support playing a big role.
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