A MAJOR oil and gas leak off the North-West coast is expected to be plugged some time next week, according to its operators.
The West Atlas oil rig has been pumping up to 400 barrels of oil and gas a day into the Timor Sea since it start leaking in mid-August.
PTTEP Australasia said today that drilling had commenced to reach a depth of 2.3km in the latest stage of the operation to drill a relief well to stop the flow of oil, gas and water from the Montara well head platform.
The drilling operation is expected to be completed by Sunday, with the final phase of drilling to 2.6km scheduled for early next week.
After drilling is complete, sophisticated electro magnetic ranging tools will be used to intersect the existing well, which will be plugged with heavy mud to stop the flow of oil and gas.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority was continuing to surface spray and try to contain the existing spill, which is 250km off the North-West coast, about 75km east of Ashmore Reef.
The oil slick covered as much as 6000sq/km earlier this month, with conservationists critical of the response to the spill, which they say threatens a number of marine species, including some that are endangered.
A PTTEP Australasia spokeswoman said the leaking bore was due to be plugged “by the first week of October’’.
source: news.com.au
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