-
An oil slick is seen after spilling from the West Atlas mobile offshore drilling unit in the Timor Sea - Source: Reuters -
Related
Australian Maritime officials say an oil slick off Western Australia's northwest coast has responded well to the use of dispersants.
A C-130 Hercules flew two sorties on Sunday, aerially applying dispersant over the oil slick near the West Atlas drilling rig, which started leaking oil and gas into the Timor Sea on Friday.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says applications of dispersant appear successful and the oil could be seen to disperse in the water during flights.
"The Dornier flew again this (Monday) morning and observations confirm the slick has remained in the vicinity of the West Atlas," an AMSA spokeswoman says.
The Hercules is continuing to apply the dispersant.
Project operator PTTEP Australasia, the Thai company that contracted the rig, on Sunday said it would take at least seven weeks to stop the leak.
The company says it will engage another mobile offshore rig from Singapore to drill a hole into the leaking oil well, pump mud into the hole and alleviate pressure to stop its flow.
AMSA says it is well prepared for a protracted clean-up operation, and has mobilised personnel and resources including aircraft and stocks of dispersant to cope with the lengthy response.
It is continuing to work with federal and state agencies, including environmental specialists, on the ongoing clean-up operation.
"The priority for AMSA remains to get oil off the water as quickly as possible to mitigate any risk to the environment."
