Timor Sea Rig Finally Plugged, Fire Out: Spill At Least 50,000 Km2 In Size

[hatrack]

EDIT

On August 21, the Montara wellhead platform drill rig owned by the publicly traded Thai company PTTEP Australasia suffered a well head accident, resulting in an uncontrolled discharge of oil and gas that continued unchecked until today.

The oil spread through an area known to conservationists as a marine life super-highway, and now covers tens of thousands of square kilometers of turtle, whale, dolphin and fish habitat. "Satellite images tell a shocking story of the spread of over three million liters of oil through this pristine environment," says the Wilderness Society.

Estimates from satellite imagery indicate that the slick has spread over 50,000 square kilometers of ocean. The cost of cleanup has been estimated at over A$5.3 billion.

Now that the fire is out, a safety case revision will be presented to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority to reboard the Montara well head platform to assess the level of damage and to plan for the next phases of the operation. "We do not underestimate the significantly increased technical complexity, logistical challenges and hazards of the work now required in the wake of the damage caused by the fire to the well head platform and the West Atlas rig," said Martins.

EDIT

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2009/2009-11-03-02.asp

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Sure took them long enough...

The damage is incredible...This was a real crime.

Minister Ferguson said, "I welcome PTTEP's commitment to cooperate with the inquiry. It is vital that we understand what caused this incident, that we learn from it, and that we put in place any measures that would help prevent such an incident occurring in the future."

How about putting a stop to the off-shore oil drilling??? That would be the best way to guarantee it does not happen again.


Martins said PTTEP is committed to "fully funding the spill clean up and environmental monitoring programs being undertaken by the lead federal government agencies."


Right up until they declare bankruptcy...

[tabatha]

2. They should shut down the rig permanently

and clean up their mess.

[Sal Minella]

3. . . . and then go away forever. n/t

[Sal Minella]

4. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date with this sad on-going saga.

Your efforts are appreciated.

[Braulio]

5. I'm sure they have insurance

So they won't declare bankrupcy. On the other hand, there will be a lot of very happy bacteria eating that oil for a long time. I like to look at the positive things in life.

[Sal Minella]

6. Congratulations on being the closest-to-perfect

imbecile I've encountered so far today.

[Braulio]

7. Thank you

Just because bacteria are the bottom of the feeding chain doesn't mean they don't have the right to have a good time. Besides, the oil is light, so that oil slick will go away very fast, bacteria WILL eat most of it in a few days.