We meet the crew of Roughnecks as they head out to the Osprey Explorer oil rig off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea. There are two newcomers to the ranks; Hilary and Wilf aka Village. Later, another woman, Tessa joins the crew as longstanding mechanic Charlie dies of a heart attack having watched a porno

The crew visit a neighbouring rig for the annual quiz night. Pitted against Osprey's Ceefax is the arrogant Aussie know all, Joe 90 (Ben Mendelsohn). Meanwhile Tessa makes Charlie's widow's dreams come true...thanks to a little emotional blackmail on Drew. Cinders survival refresher means the Osprey is without a chef, but Village surprises everyone with his Italian cuisine.

Shore leave for the Roughnecks; Hilary decides to join Ian for some hillwalking but a mistake with the hotel booking means they must share a room. Tom's daughter Heather is getting very close to Chris, despite Tom's reservations, and there's heartache for Archie when he learns his estranged wife Jean may have been assaulted by her new man, Bob.

A female reporter visits Osprey Explorer keen to get a story, but ends up getting under Chris' skin. When it becomes clear her intentions are to get the dirt on how Charlie died, she finds herself out in the cold. Tessa breaks her foot putting the crew's bonus of a mini portable colour TV each into jeopardy. Meanwhile Chris and Heather get closer.

Chris and Heather return from Spain and announce their intention to marry. Tom is furious and lashes out at Chris, but their differences must be put aside as they head offshore. Ian's concerns over safety on the rig proves justified when a crisis develops and several of the crew are evacuated by helicopter. Just when the crisis seems to be averted, further disaster strikes...