Oil spill much larger than reported: Greens

29 Aug 2009, 11:44 am   -   Source: AAP/SBS
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A Hercules aircraft from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) applying dispersant to an oil spill about 250km off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia. (AAP)

A Hercules aircraft from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) applying dispersant to an oil spill about 250km off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia. (AAP)

A Boeing 747 plane from Singapore will leave for Perth today, in an effort to clean up the oil and gas spill off Western Australia's Kimberley Coast.

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A Boeing 747 is expected to fly in high capacity pump and spray equipment from Singapore into Perth, to aid the clean up of the oil and gas spill off Western Australia's Kimberley Coast.

The Australian Greens say the spill is much larger and closer to the coast than previously reported, with the clean-up of the August 21 spill being managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

After visiting the PTTEP Australasia West Atlas oil rig spill, Greens senator Rachel Siewert said it was much bigger and closer to the coast than first reported.

"There is a film of oil around the rig, and from horizon to horizon. From east to west it stretches 180km at a minimum," she said in a statement.

An AMSA spokesman said the authority would not comment on the size of the spill but would release further information soon.

A drilling rig, moored on Batam Island in Indonesia, left for the West Atlas oil rig on Thursday, PTTEP said in a statement.

"Favourable conditions mean the West Triton is now expected to reach the West Atlas and commence drilling activities inside of the previously advised timeframe (16 days)," the company said.

Two tugs will tow the rig to within two kilometres of the Montara well head platform, where it will drill a relief well to stop the leak.

Woodside has contacted the federal government to offer the use of a drill rig and emergency response team.

Senator Siewert said PTTEP should be compelled to take up Woodside's offer of a closer rig, which would stop the spill much sooner.

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Your Comments

Gargon Project.

matthew Price - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

Will the government's reaction to accidents like this be the same when it comes to a 50 billion gas project (Gargon). Maybe after this incident and our government's slow reaction to this, Gargon should be reconsidered

Disorganised Coverup?

Kim - from Cairns Qld, 3 years ago

Why is the Boeing 747 going to Perth? Darwin is much closer and certainly capable of handling a 747. Why has the extent of the oil spill and the severity which it now appears is more extensive and serious than originally stated, supposedly become apparent only at this late stage? Why is the chance of more immediate assistance with the Woodside rig (assuming it is suitable) not only been accepted but insisted upon? Is the dispersant actually doing anything or is it just for appearances?

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