Impact from Timor Sea oil spill to remain unknown: Inquiry

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The inquiry into the Montaro oil spill has begun. [ABC]

Vivienne Nunis

Last Updated: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:10:00 +1100

The first day of an Australian federal inquiry into a large oil spill off the coast of Western Australia last year, has heard there were a number of possible causes.

Counsel Assisting the Inquiry, Tom Howe QC, said in his opening statement the blowout of oil and gas from a well in the Montara oil field could have had potential catastrophic consequences and it's fortunate no human life was lost, however it's unlikely the full environmental impact on wildlife in the Timor Sea will ever be known.

The inquiry will examine the causes of the oil spill and how it was mangaed.

Mr Howe told the inquiry, the owner of the well, PTTEP Australasia didn't install one of the pressure caps usually required in a well and no one has been able to provide a satisfactory explanation as to why that happened.

But he said the commission hasn't yet formed any conclusions.