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The West Atlas Oil Spill
The massive fire that engulfed the West Atlas rig last week after workers tried to plug an oil leak. Photo: supplied
The Federal Government is doing what it can to deal with the "appalling" oil and gas spill off Australia's north-western coast, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.
Mr Rudd has defended his Government's response to the oil slick, which is now believed to cover an area about 25 nautical miles by 70 nautical miles as it leaks from PTTEP Australasia's West Atlas oil rig.
Oil, gas and condensate has been leaking into the Timor Sea since August 21.
Mr Rudd said in Perth that the Federal Government would do whatever was necessary to deal with the "appalling incident".
"The Government is following this exceptionally closely," Mr Rudd told Fairfax Radio Network.
"It's appalling that it occurred, but we are working to deal with the situation as it unfolds."
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating the clean-up and has been spraying dispersants over the slick, which is reported to be slowly spreading towards the Australian coast.
The cause of the leak in the Montara oil field is not yet known.
Thai-based PTTEP plans to bring a mobile offshore drilling rig to its Montara wellhead platform, where it will drill a relief well to stop the leak.
The company expects the mobile rig to arrive at the site within a week.
Mr Rudd said the spill would be thoroughly investigated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority.
He said he expected PTTEP Australasia to be forthcoming with information.
"Absolute transparency will be required on the part of the company to the regulators, otherwise the company would not be being consistent with Australian legal and regulatory requirements," he said.
"We will therefore be taking every necessary measure and response to appropriate and considered technical advice, to deal with ... an appalling incident."
AAP
