Leaking Oil Spill Stopped

The leaking Montara wellhead in waters off Australia’s coast has been stopped and the fire is out. As a result, there is no new oil coming from the platform. Work to ensure the well is permanently capped is continuing, as well as Australia’s other comprehensive response efforts.

On 3 November, drilling experts succeeded in “killing” the leaking well and stopped the main fire at the wellhead platform by pumping heavy mud into the leaking well.

Once the wellhead platform has cooled and engineers have determined that it is structurally sound and safe, drilling experts will board the platform to insert plugs into the leaking well, which will ensure the leak can not resume.

Successful capping of the well does not mean the Australian Government’s work in relation to the oil spill will cease. Clean-up operations and environmental assessments will continue.

Australia is discussing with Indonesia a possible visit by a team of Australian officials to Indonesia in early November for talks with Indonesian officials and to arrange further testing of samples.

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