Today (August 21, 2009) PTTEP Australasia confirms that a crude oil and gas leak incident occurred at 0530 (Darwin time) in the Montara development in the Timor Sea approx. 690 km west of Darwin in the Northern Territory and 250 km northwest of Truscott in Western Australia. The company has activated its emergency management procedures and authorities have been notified.

The 69 personnel onboard the West Atlas were evacuated from the vessel and had been transferred safely to other work vessels. All personnel are safe. There were no injuries. Weather in the area is calm with light north east winds.

PTTEP has notified authorities as part of its emergency response. The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC) is mobilizing aircraft and dispersant to be in Darwin tonight and to begin aerial spraying of the spill tomorrow.

The size of the spill is not known. Approximately 40 barrels of oil were discharged from the wellhead in the initial incident. Since then, condensate has been discharged at pressure dispersed in the gas stream.

The West Atlas is a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit, operated by Seadrill. It is under contracted to PTTEP Australasia (Ashmore Cartier) Pty Ltd.

The Montara Development consists of the Montara, Skua, Swift and Swallow oil field and is located in Production Licence AC/L7 and AC/L8 in the East Timor Sea. The field expected to come online in late 2009.

For more information, please contact
M.L. Sidhichai Jayant (02) 537-4592 E-mail: sidhichaij@pttep.com
Tongchit Pongorapin (02) 537-4587 E-mail: tongchitp@pttep.com
Mike Groves PTTEP Australasia Tel.: 0411 828 073