A gas rig employee has died in a workplace incident off Western Australia’s northwest coast.
Oil and gas company Woodside confirmed the worker died about 12pm AWST on Friday at its North Rankin Complex, about 135km northwest of Karratha.
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The worker was an employee of one of Woodside’s contractor companies.
All other people on the platform were safe, Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill confirmed.
“This is a very sad day for the extended Woodside family and I offer my deepest sympathy to our colleague’s family, friends and workmates,” she said.
“Any loss of life is heartbreaking.”
Woodside was co-operating with WA Police and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Emergency Authority, Ms O’Neill said.
Senior Woodside executives were also travelling to Karratha, while counselling and support services were being made available to employees and contractors.
Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) chief executive Samantha McCulloch said the industry offered its condolences to the worker’s family, friends and colleagues.
“This is a shock and a tragedy for our industry, which prioritises workplace health and safety,” she said in a statement.
“APPEA and its membership offers its sympathies to all those impacted by this loss.”