Numerous companies were involved in the incident. Santos, which owned the disused oil field, contracted Dutch company Fugro to remove the Sinbad platform and the similar nearby Campbell platform.

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Fugro obtained a construction vessel from Allseas and rope access technicians from AusGroup subsidiary MAS.

The two technicians were on the side of the large steel post, or monopod, that had been cut to allow the platform to be lifted up by a crane on a nearby vessel when the platform moved unexpectedly and began swinging wildly.

The Sinbad and Campbell platforms were installed in 1993 and have been inactive for 15 years since production ceased in 2006.

Santos was contacted for comment.

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