An incident occurred on November 15 during piling operations for Shell's under-development Crux gas field offshore Australia. The work was being performed from McDermott's derrick lay barge DLV 2000 as part of its offshore installation contract. Visual evidence circulated on social media appeared to show part of a rig falling from a height.

Response and Investigation

There were no injuries or fatalities, and the involved equipment, described as new drilling gear purchased from a third party and tested prior to deployment, has been safely recovered. Shell confirmed the incident was reported to the regulator. McDermott's project team is finalizing a comprehensive investigation to determine the root cause and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. The company stated its commitment to delivering the project safely and in alignment with regulatory requirements.

Regulatory and Union Reaction

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety & Environmental Management Agency (NOPSEMA) is investigating the incident, having been promptly notified by the operator. The regulator emphasized its commitment to workforce safety and environmental protection but declined to provide further details while the investigation is ongoing. Separately, the Offshore Alliance, a union partnership, strongly criticized McDermott, alleging corners were cut on safety and industrial relations, highlighting the use of overseas workers, and suggesting potential cost overruns on the project.

Project Context

The Crux field is being developed to supply backfill gas to Shell's Prelude FLNG facility, with production start-up targeted for 2027. Despite the investigation, the incident is not expected to derail the overall project schedule. It is noted that NOPSEMA had previously issued an Improvement Notice to McDermott in April 2025 for safety breaches following a worker injury on the same vessel, DLV 2000, during work for another operator.