Leaking oil rig bursts into flames
The West Atlas rig in the Timor Sea that has been leaking oil and fuel for 10 weeks burst into flames on Saturday for as yet unknown reasons. PTTEP has been inquiring as to what started the fire and their Federal resources minister told ABC that they will be holding an independent inquiry as to what started the fire.
There are claims that, the well is producing fuel for the fire and that if it is not closed, the fire has a virtually never-ending source of fuel and will never go out.
According to PTTEP’s chief financial officer Jose Martins they were executing a well-killing operation when a fire broke out on the Montara platform. He also says that the measures they have been taking have been to merely keep the fire isolated- not to put it out. He claims that the only way to put out the fire is to kill the well, stopping the flow of gas and oil to the H1 well and depriving the fire of fuel.
PTTEP is planning to set up a nearby oil rig, West Triton rig, to pump a thick heavy mud mixture into the well to cut off the gas supply and stop the flow of fuel to the fire.
There has been an outburst of reactions from environmentalists of shock and outrage. They are reportedly furious over the fact that since the fire broke out there has been no information as to what caused the leak or the fire in the first place or the plans are to clean up the mess.
PTTEP has lost an estimated $170 million (£159 million). They have set aside a great deal of money, as the rig and oil isn’t insured for full value.
Apparently no rig workers were injured and everyone managed to escape off the rig before the fire started. Though, a Resources analyst claims that if the situation had been even slightly different, then many injuries would have occurred and that the rig workers were in fact, extremely lucky to have escaped. He also claims that the fire is the result of the Commonweath taking full custody and responsibility of the rig.
He said that he is confident with the handling of the situation but is concerned for the safety of rig workers in future.
