[Greens-Media] West atlas oil disaster demands immediate Government action

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

West atlas oil disaster demands immediate Government action 
Saturday 29th August 2009

The Australian Greens today released pictures taken yesterday of the
West Atlas Oil Spill indicating the extent to which the oil had spread
from the oil rig, and called on the Government to intervene in a
situation that is clearly worse than originally reported.

"This spill is far more serious than both the company and the Government
are saying. We were not prepared for the extent of what we saw," said
Senator Rachel Siewert, marine spokesperson for the Australian Greens.

"The Government must urgently intervene, to stand up to the oil company
and start immediate action to protect these precious waters and the
whale, turtle, fish and other species that call them home."

"In our time reviewing the site we measured oil from the spill to be
180km across (west to east). We did not have time to review the extent
north or south, however from the rig site, the oil film spread from
horizon to horizon."

"Wind and currents associated with the Kimberley's huge tidal movements
mean that the spill is spreading and will continue to.  It is simply not
true to say the coast is not at risk from this spill. It is difficult to
imagine how they can contain this spill."

"With oil sited in tidal lines only 20 km off the coast we expect it is
only a matter of time before the first oil starts hitting the Kimberley
coast and damaging fringing coral reefs and mangroves," said Senator
Siewert.

"PTTEP Australasia has failed to provide any data about the amount of
oil already discharged. However based on information available on
average flowrates for similar wells in the region and the company's own
data we estimate conservatively that at least 3000 barrels of oil per
day are being released from the well. This amounts to a rate of 477,540
litres per day."

"A significant volume of oil will be discharged into the Timor Sea
before the leak is fixed. Given the extent the oil has already spread in
the week since the leak occurred, it is clear that its continued impacts
in coming weeks will be monumental."

"Every day that action is delayed increases the environmental impact of
this disaster. The company must be required to use the closest available
equipment to close the leak as soon as possible. It cannot delay action
for weeks while the rig from Singapore is moved down. The company must
accept Woodside's offer of help and get the new rig on site as soon as
possible."

"We have written to the Prime Minister asking him to intervene and ask
the company to accept Woodside's offer," said Senator Siewert.

"The Greens and the Australian public don't want to see further
unchecked, unregulated oil and gas development in our pristine
environments, causing these massive environmental catastrophes."

"This information further highlights the need of an inquiry into this
disaster, to ensure we don't see a repeat performance in the future,"
concluded Senator Siewert.

Pictures are available for download from:
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/west-atlas-
oil-disaster-demands-immediate-government-action
Video of the oil spill will be made available to the media on Sunday
30th August

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180