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| Spill firm says Indon claim lacks proof |
| 03/Sep/2010 Intellasia | Sydney Morning Herald |
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| 3 Sep, 2010 - 8:57:35 AM |
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The company behind Australia's worst offshore oil spill has rebuffed a multi-billion-dollar compensation claim from Indonesia, saying it lacks scientific evidence.
Thai-based company PTTEP Australasia (PTTEPAA) confirmed it had received a claim for compensation relating to the spill at the company's Montara oil field in the Timor Sea last year.
PTTEPAA representatives met with officials from the Indonesian government in July and August this year, in which the Indonesians reportedly asked for $2.3 billion of compensation.
Indonesia has claimed the oil spill caused substantial environmental damage to its territories and could potentially have further impacts on a coral reef.
The Indonesian delegates at their most recent meeting outlined their government's claims, but they did not provide scientific evidence, PTTEPAA said in a statement.
''No verifiable scientific evidence was provided with the claim summary or has yet been provided to support the claims made in this presentation,'' the statement said.
However, Indonesia said it would provide PTTEPAA with all the data and evidence to support its claim once it is translated into English.
PTTEPAA said no timetable had been agreed upon for the data to be provided. But once the material was available, it would need to be analysed by appropriate parties before the company could further discuss the claim.
The Jakarta Post reported on August 24 that the Indonesian government was seeking 17 trillion rupiah ($2.3 billion) compensation from PTTEP, which is listed on the Thai stock exchange.
Last month a report by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said WA's Kimberley coast had escaped contamination from the Montara oil spill.
During an investigation of the spill, it was revealed that a pressure corrosion cap was not reinstalled after it had been removed for cleaning.
The inquiry was told earlier this year that the failure to test a cement casing at the Montara well was the root cause of the blowout.
http://www.smh.com.au/wa-news/spill-firm-says-indon-claim-lacks-proof-20100902-14ri0.html
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