What undoubtedly has become the largest oil spill ever recorded on the planet is continuing at an unprecedented rate off the pristine coasts of Australia at the moment.Since late August the West Atlas oil rig in the Timor Sea has been gushing 400-3000 barrels a day into the ocean creating a miles long slick that can been seen from space.
A rough calculation of barrels of oil leaked thus far is anywhere from 9,600 to 72,000.
The slick threatens coastlines as far away as Indonesia. The Kimberley coast, most threatened by this slick, is described by Tourism Australia as “one of the world’s last true wilderness areas.” The Australian Greens have called the region a “marine superhighway,” with populations of baby turtles and a migratory route for whales.
The oil company, PTTEP based on Thailand, says its second well to stop the flow of oil should come online six weeks from now and announced today the second drilling rig being rushed to the site had broken a tow rope in bad weather conditions. In the meantime oil continues to flow at an unheard of rate.
The coming oil and wildlife disaster will be on a scale no country will be able to fathom when this oil makes landfall.
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