Subscribe to RSS feedWest Atlas spill control plan goes to Canberra
As dispersant broke up slicks from the West Atlas drilling rig spill in the Timor Sea yesterday, rig contractor PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) said it had submitted its action plan to the Federal Government.
West Triton: Rig is expected to be used to drill a relief well and staunch the leak (Photo: Andrew Mackinnon)
PTTEP chief executive Anon Sirisaengtaksin said the slick, which covers an area of eight nautical miles long and 30 metres wide, has not shown signs of expanding.
"To control the well, the company is planning to drill a relief well which will intersect the existing well and stop its oil and gas flow," Mr Sirisaengtaksin said.
Mr Sirisaengtaksin said the company was also examining other proposals but provided no further details.
It is expected that the company will use the West Triton rig, currently in Singapore, to drill a relief well and stop the leak – a process which could take two months.
The Australian Maritime Safely Authority (AMSA) said the slick had responded positively to the use of dispersants after spraying runs by a Hercules aircraft applying dispersant from a Darwin stockpile.
The minister responsible for the federal response to the spill, Anthony Albanese, said indications were that the slick was not headed towards the Australian coastline, though Western Australian premier Colin Barnett pointed out that Ashmore Reef was in the vicinity.
Mr Albanese backed the current regulatory regime for the offshore energy sector.
"We believe that in terms of regulation, Australia has in place already the world's best practice when it comes to regulation of the oil and gas industry," he said.
Mr Albanese said there would be a full examination of the incident.
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