❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the disposal plans for the West Atlas Oil Rig following the Montara incident. The Minister clarifies WA's limited jurisdiction and provides an update based on information from the Northern Territory.
AnsweredQoN 1444Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the intentions of the Commonwealth and/or PTTEP with regards to the disposal of the West Atlas Oil Rig, should it prove unsalvageable?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), is the intention to tow the rig to shore for dismantling and disposal?
(4) If yes to (2), how will the components of the rig be disposed of onshore?
(5) If no to (2), what is being proposed for the disposal of the rig?
(6) If there is one in place, what role will the State Government play in the disposal process?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), is the intention to tow the rig to shore for dismantling and disposal?
(4) If yes to (2), how will the components of the rig be disposed of onshore?
(5) If no to (2), what is being proposed for the disposal of the rig?
(6) If there is one in place, what role will the State Government play in the disposal process?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 March 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
28 days
(1) The Hon Member may not be aware that the Montara incident and the West Atlas Drilling Rig do not come under this State's administration. The location is in the Ashmore and Cartier Islands Territory, which is administered on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Northern Territory.
However, the Department of Mines and Petroleum has contacted the Northern Territory Department and has been informed that the situation is as follows:
· The West Atlas Drilling Rig is not usable;
· The ownership of the drilling rig has passed to the insurers;
· The insurers have a tender out for removing the drilling rig;
· The drilling rig is still classified as a 'facility' by the National Offshore Safety Authority (NOPSA) and as such still falls under the Safety Case; and
· Discussions are in progress with NOPSA concerning how to move the drilling rig.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Discussions are still in progress.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable.
(6) Although a disposal site has yet to be decided, Western Australia is not likely to be involved.
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However, the Department of Mines and Petroleum has contacted the Northern Territory Department and has been informed that the situation is as follows:
· The West Atlas Drilling Rig is not usable;
· The ownership of the drilling rig has passed to the insurers;
· The insurers have a tender out for removing the drilling rig;
· The drilling rig is still classified as a 'facility' by the National Offshore Safety Authority (NOPSA) and as such still falls under the Safety Case; and
· Discussions are in progress with NOPSA concerning how to move the drilling rig.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Discussions are still in progress.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable.
(6) Although a disposal site has yet to be decided, Western Australia is not likely to be involved.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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