Woodside fatality, safety lapses mar strong first half

Woodside fatality, safety lapses mar strong first half

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill says the dying of a contractor at considered one of its offshore oil platforms has overshadowed a robust monetary yr for the petroleum large.

Michael Jurman died at Woodside’s North Rankin Complex about 135km northwest of Karratha, WA, in June.

“The loss of our colleague was a tragedy for his family and friends and has had an emotional impact on everyone at Woodside,” Ms O’Neill mentioned in a press release on Tuesday.

Investigations by WA Police, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority and Woodside itself are ongoing, and Woodside has carried out modifications to its operational procedures, she mentioned.

There was additionally a severe incident at Woodside’s Pluto LNG plant in WA in May that staff have described as an explosion that would have critically injured personnel.

Woodside referred to as the incident an “audible release” of gasoline from a flare tower and says it understands what occurred and that corrective motion has been taken.

“Woodside’s safety performance over the past two years has been below the standard we set for ourselves,” Ms O’Neill mentioned.

“We know we must do better and are resolved to strive for a return to leading safety performance.”

Woodside recorded a half-year internet revenue after tax of $US1.7 billion ($A2.7 billion), up six per cent from a yr in the past.

Operating income rose 27 per cent to $US7.4 billion ($A11.5 billion) for the six months to June 30.

Ms O’Neill mentioned Woodside made a major contribution to financial prosperity of the communities through which it operates throughout the first half, paying $A3.65 billion in Australian state and federal taxes and royalties.

Woodside declared an interim dividend of 80 cents per share, totally franked.

Source: www.perthnow.com.au