Scientists Suspect Oil In Indonesian Waters From Damaged Rig Off NW Australian Coast

[hatrack]

Scientists at the University of Indonesia say they have found oil contamination in water samples collected by fishermen in Indonesian waters which they believe may be from an oil rig leak off northwest Australia. The Montara Well spewed at least 500 million litres of oil into the Timor Sea for 10 weeks until it was successfully stopped last month. A group of Indonesian fishermen say the results add weight to their claim for compensation from the company that operates the West Atlas Rig, PTTEP Australasia.

MARCH: Indonesian fishermen began collecting water samples in plastic containers not long after oil from the Montara well began leaking into the Timor Sea. They'd has seen oil in the water and dead fish began appearing on the surface. Also, their fish catches quickly deteriorated. Many stopped fishing altogether because they weren't making enough money to pay for boat fuel. While others have moved to fishing grounds further away. Sunardi, a chemistry lecturer at the University of Indonesia tested the water samples at a Jakarta laboratory.

SUNARDI: What we received was a type of sediments from which we can measure the amount of oil. And from our measurement, the amount was 38%. This is very high, because from my knowledge, according to the environment ministry, the allowed amount is less than 1%.

MARCH: But he says the findings may be open to question from official investigators.

SUNARDI: The way we measured the sample is a valid technique, but there is still some doubt about the way the sample was taken, because it's not certain that the sample was taken competently.

EDIT

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/200912/s2779154.htm