Timor Sea oil rig evacuated

Dozens of workers have been evacuated from a Timor Sea oil rig after an oil and gas
spill, the project operator says.
A national clean-up plan has been activated to deal with the incident on the
offshore drilling rig at the Montara development, about 250km off the far north
Kimberley coast and 150km south-east of the Ashmore Reef.
Rig operator PTTEP Australasia said the oil and gas spill happened about 4am (WST)
on Friday on the West Atlas rig, operated by Norway's Seadrill.
None of the 69 people on board the rig were injured in the incident and all were
evacuated, PTTEP said in a statement.
About 40 barrels of oil are believed to have spilt in the initial incident, while
condensate, a form of light oil, was also discharged along with gas.
The extent of the spill and environmental damage is unknown.
A national clean-up plan had been activated, PTTEP said.
The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre has sent aircraft to Darwin, carrying
chemicals to mop up crude oil.
They are expected to begin aerial spraying of the affected area on Saturday.
In its statement, PTTEP said the weather in the area was calm and the discharge was
expected to be propelled by winds in a southwesterly direction away from the
Australian mainland.
PTTEP has shut down the Montara development, due to come online later this year,
while the spill is investigated.