Update: Late news reports say the West Atlas well was finally plugged on November 3rd. The Australian government has formed a commission to investigate the incident.For over two months a leaking oil well in the Timor Sea has been allowed to pollute some the world's last pristine ocean. The rig in the Montara field off the Kimberly Coast has been spilling oil since August 21st. All attempts to stop the spill have failed probably due to the depth of the leak at 2.6 kilometers below the surface and the 25 centimeter diameter of the well bore. The flow is estimated at 2000 barrels a day by independent experts. Dolphins, migratory sea birds and sea snakes have been observed swimming through the surface slick. Australia may be attempting to sweep news of the spill under the carpet since it is located in such an isolated corner of the globe. Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association claimed that the recent WWF survey of the area found no evidence of harm to marine life. Dr. Gilly Llewellyn, head of the ecological survey, said this was clearly a false representation. "Wildlife is dying and hundreds, if not thousands of dolphins, seabirds and sea-snakes are being exposed to toxic oil." The expedition found 17 species of seabird, four crustacean and five marine reptile species including two threatened marine turtles. Ocean oil spills continue to impact an ecosystem for decades after the event as the Valdez spill has demonstrated {3.25.09}. PTTEP Australasia, the Thai company responsible for the spill has reported high levels of mortality among contaminated seabirds. Australian conservationists have been critical of the attempts at plugging the leak, one saying "It's turning into a farce and the big players need to step in because this is an environmental disaster for marine life off the Kimberly Coast." The spill is Australia's third worst on record.
[photo: WA News]