Investigation launched after fatal incident on North Sea drilling rig

November 24, 2025

The Incident
A fatal accident occurred on Friday 14 November morning aboard the Valaris 121 jackup drilling rig, situated roughly 140 miles (225 km) east of Aberdeen. The victim, 32-year-old Lee Hulse, was working on the offshore installation at the time of the incident.

Official Response and Investigations
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it is investigating the matter alongside Police Scotland. According to police, the death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Company and Operator Statements
Valaris, the rig operator, expressed its condolences and confirmed that Mr Hulse’s next of kin have been informed and are receiving support. The company said that all other workers on board had been accounted for and that operations on the rig have been temporarily suspended while inquiries continue.
Shell, whose Shearwater platform the rig was supporting, also issued a statement saying it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and is working closely with Valaris during the aftermath.

Previous Incident on the Same Rig
The Valaris 121 was involved in another serious event in January 2023, when 50-year-old Welsh worker Jason Thomas went missing while the rig was positioned about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Aberdeen. His body was never recovered. An investigation later revealed that a deck grating had become dislodged, creating a significant fall hazard for personnel.