Tragedy as an energy worker is killed at an offshore gas platform
- A contractor died while working on a gas platform at sea
- The incident took place at Woodside’s North Rankin Complex
A contractor has been killed in a workplace incident on a gas platform off the coast of Western Australia.
The worker at Woodside Energy’s North Rankin Complex gas platform, about 84 miles northwest of Karratha, died at around 12 noon AWST on Friday.
All other workers on the platform are safe, Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill confirmed.
Woodside is working with WA Police and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Emergency Authority to understand what went wrong.
The worker at Woodside Energy’s North Rankin Complex gas platform, about 84 miles northwest of Karratha, WA, died Friday around noon AWST. (pictured is Woodside’s Cossack Pioneer oil production facility off the coast of WA)
Advice has been offered to employees and contractors within the company and Senior Woodside executives have begun to travel to Karratha.
“This is a very sad day for the extended Woodside family and I extend my deepest condolences to our colleague’s family, friends and colleagues,” said Ms O’Neill.
“Any loss of life is heartbreaking”
The entire gas industry has expressed condolences to those close to the contractor, said Samantha McCulloch, CEO of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA).
“This is a shock and a tragedy for our industry, which prioritizes health and safety in the workplace,” she said in a statement.
“APPEA and its members extend their condolences to all affected by this loss.”
The employee would have performed a risky task on the outside of the platform at that time, The Western Australian reported.
In Woodside’s annual report, the company said that providing energy safely was their “top priority.”
According to the company, safety records had dropped in 2021 and 2022.
“Our personal safety results in 2022 have not improved from the disappointing 2021 result. It is imperative that we improve in 2023.”