Working in the oil and gas industry is a dangerous occupation.

Aside from the obviously highly explosive central products, the work is conducted in remote locations, on long shifts, using large and heavy pieces of machinery and in often inhospitable environments.

Accidents will - and do - happen.

But when they do, it is comforting to think the powers that be – whether that is governments, regulators or even the full force of the law – will be there to investigate and findings to be shared for further action to improve safety standards.

Safety procedures are essential and when accidents do happen investigations serve as an important check of those procedures and possible learning that might need to follow,  

Today, Energy News Bulletin flags a sad and troubling milestone – one which is hard to ignore in the absence of outcomes of the accident review that might help keep safe other workers in similar roles.

On 2 June 2023, Michael Jurman - a rope access technician employed by Vertech to work on Woodside Energy's North Rankin Complex offshore gas platform – was killed in an accident.

Today, 1000 days later, there is no closure or resolution for his family. There is no official report into the circumstances of his death. There is no conclusion to this tragedy, nor is there any indication of any learnings or even accountability for his death.

In this instance it is the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), which is in charge of the investigation.

"NOPSEMA continues to investigate the fatal incident involving Mr Michael Jurman at Woodside's North Rankin facility on 2 June 2023," NOPSEMA told ENB.

"As this is an active investigation into a serious matter, it would not be appropriate for NOPSEMA to comment on the specific matters raised, or on potential enforcement outcomes, as doing so could compromise the integrity of the investigation."

NOPSEMA has not provided any insight into the delay or factors why after two years and 275 days this is still an active investigation.

The Offshore Alliance union group says it will "not forgive nor forget those responsible" for Jurman's death and is "patiently waiting for the outcome" of NOPSEMA's investigation.

"There must be full accountability for acts of industrial manslaughter by the big end of town and their contractors," the group said in a statement.

So today, in the full understanding that the wheels of bureaucracy can turn slowly, Energy News Bulletin asks all involved in finding any kind of resolution to this tragedy, what is taking so long?

The incident

Described by his Vertech employers as a "humble, caring, genuine guy, who brought a positive attitude to every team he was a part of," Jurman was an experienced and skilled rope technician.

"He had a beautiful attitude to life, and he was well-thought-of by those around him. Michael was passionate about rock climbing and caving which naturally led him to excel and love rope access.

"He enjoyed music, having played in a symphonic orchestra as a violist for 13 years," said Vertech MD Tom Brennan.

On 2 June 2023 Jurman was working on the North Rankin complex, about 135km north of Dampier, Western Australia.

While details are few and far between it is understood the incident happened during a "working over the side" activity, or a task on the outside of the platform.

The specific circumstances of the incident have not been publicly detailed and NOPSEMA stressed it could not comment on "specific matters" while its investigation remains active.

However, within a week of the tragedy, the regulator did issue a bulletin to the industry flagging what it called a "concerning trend…where an increasing number of incidents can be linked back to insufficient assessment of risks such as stored energy, exclusion zones, line-of-fire and incorrect equipment selection or improper use.

"These risks significantly increase when circumstances change during the execution of the job and no, or insufficient, risk re-assessment is done."

Tributes

In the days following the fatality, tributes flowed publicly for Jurman from colleagues, friends and sections of the offshore community, while the offshore regulator started their investigation.

In a statement at the time, former Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill said: "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."

Training company All Areas Access said Jurman was a "brother, a friend, a colleague and a role model to so many of us" while social media message boards were filled with warm and heartfelt tributes.

Investigations

NOPSEMA's eventual report will be instrumental in two other process – a coronial inquest and a police investigation.

Woodside, for its part, said its understanding was NOPSEMA's investigation into the incident was continuing.

Similarly, a spokesperson for the WA Coroner's Court said the death had been reported to the court and an investigation into the circumstances was ongoing. "A finding has not been completed," the spokesperson said.

WA Police say they have begun an investigation and that a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Political pressure

The issue of a lack of progress in the investigations has not gone unnoticed in political circles.

In the WA state parliament Greens' member Tim Clifford has tabled questions for the government to address on NOPSEMA's investigation.

Clifford also raised the issue in a debate in the house yesterday, asking the government to urge NOPSEMA to conclude the investigation.

Likewise in Canberra, at a recent senate estimates hearing independent senator David Pocock tabled questions for NOPSEMA's leadership to answer about their inquiry.

"I'm deeply concerned that around 1,000 days on from Michael Jurman's tragic death at the North Rankin facility, there are still no public answers.

"We should not have to wait this long for clarity about the tragedy. I have put questions on notice to NOPSEMA seeking an explanation for the delay and what steps are being taken to finalise the investigation," Pocock told ENB.

One thousand days on, Energy News Bulletin today calls on NOPSEMA to expedite its investigations to help to provide closure to Jurman's family, learnings to the industry as a whole and to hold to account those, if any, who might be responsible.