Chief operations officer (COO) and executive director of London-listed oil explorer Hurricane Energy has passed away.

Hurricane Energy said on Monday that its COO and executive director Neil Platt passed away on 5 July 2020.

The company extended its deepest condolences and sympathies to Platt's family at this time and would like to place on record its sincere gratitude for the exceptional role he had played in the development of the firm.

Steve Holmes, the company's production operations director, was appointed as the acting chief operations officer.

Chairman Steven McTiernan said: “Everyone at Hurricane is deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts and sympathies are with Neil's family and friends.

“Neil's passion, enthusiasm and technical excellence were integral to the company's growth over the past decade. His leadership was pivotal to the successful delivery and operation of the Lancaster Early Production System.

“This outstanding achievement is a fitting legacy for his career at Hurricane and will always remind us of his huge contribution. We will miss him terribly“.

In related management news, the chief financial officer and director of Hurricane Energy Alistair Stobie resigned via mutual agreement back in February.

Chief executive officer and director of the company Robert Trice also decided to resign from the oil firm by mutual agreement last month.