Huge oil spill plugged at last - rig owner

[denem]

Source: aap

AN oil well that has been leaking into the Timor Sea for 10 weeks has been plugged and a fire raging on the oil rig is almost out, the operator says.

Australasia announced this afternoon that its fifth attempt to plug the leaking oil well had been successful and it had stopped the main fire at the Montara wellhead platform.

The oil began leaking on August 21 at the Montara oilfield near the West Atlas oil rig, more than 200km northwest of Western Australia's Kimberley coastline.

During an attempt to plug the oil well with heavy mud on Sunday a fire broke out at the wellhead platform and the West Atlas oil rig.

"Some material on the topside of the West Atlas rig might still be on fire but it is expected to be extinguished as the fuel source burns out,'' the company said.

Read more: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26300862-26103,00.html

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The 600+ sq. Kilometer oil slick journeys on.

[Tanelorn]

1. Great news but...

What about the devastating environmental disaster that it has
created for the past 9 weeks. The waste in a precious resource
is maddening. When will give up this waste of fossil resource
for less hazardous source of fuel?

[fascisthunter]

2. when? The Day the People Rise Up and Say No More (nt)

[ensho]

3. thank goodness, hope the plug holds

but the slick?