A Woodside executive said it was too early to say exactly what led to the death of a worker on a gas platform off WA's Pilbara coast but promised the company would "learn" and "change" to ensure it did not happen again.
Woodside said the worker, who was employed by contractor Vertech, died during an incident at around midday on Friday at the North Rankin Complex, 135 kilometres offshore from Dampier.
WA Police have flown to the gas rig to start investigations, while Australia's offshore energy regulator NOPSEMA said it had mobilised a team of experienced investigators, and a "do not disturb" notice had been issued to the operator.
Woodside Energy's executive vice president Australian operations, Liz Westcott, flew to the northern WA city of Karratha on Saturday to meet workers returning from North Rankin, on their way home.
"Our focus has been on everybody impacted by this tragedy, the first responders, our workers and their families, Vertech his employer, and the communities that support us each and every day.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends whose lives have been changed forever."
Ms Westcott said Woodside was working closely with all the relevant agencies and authorities.
"It is early days and we don't yet have the full knowledge of what led, what unfolded, for this tragedy," she said.
"But we will learn and we will change to make sure no family goes through this ever again."
In a statement, the man's employer Vertech Group said it was continuing to work with authorities on site.
"We are devastated by this loss," the statement said.
"Our immediate priorities are focused on supporting our site teams, employees and business partners."
'A gentler soul you couldn't meet'
The Offshore Alliance union has taken to social media to pay tribute to the worker.
"The thoughts of the Offshore Alliance are with our fallen brother from the NRC (North Rankin Complex) and his family, friends and workmates," the statement said.
"A gentler soul you couldn't meet and the offshore community is grieving for a life which has been lost way too early. RIP brother."
Woodside said counselling and support was being offered to its employees and contractors.
"I offer my deepest sympathy to our colleague's family, friends and workmates," Woodside chief executive Meg O'Neill said.
"Any loss of life is heartbreaking."
The chief executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), which is the peak body for the oil and gas industry, also offered her condolences to family, friends and colleagues of the worker.
"This is a shock and a tragedy for our industry, which prioritises workplace health and safety," Samantha McCulloch said.
"APPEA and its membership offers its sympathies to all those impacted by this loss."
The death on the North Rankin complex comes one week after an incident at Woodside's Pluto plant near Karratha.
Unions described that incident as an explosion, which left workers "shaken up", but Woodside described it as an "audible release" which was triggered after an internal combustion event inside one of the plant's three flares.
Woodside said while there were no confirmed injuries, one contractor sought medical attention for noise exposure.
Police are preparing a report on Friday's death for the coroner.
