Ferguson plans Montara inquiry

A petroleum industry body has welcomed federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson's plans for an inquiry into an oil spill off the coast of Western Australia.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association said it strongly supported the legislation to provide for an inquiry into the Montara well leak, introduced into parliament today.

The inquiry is expected to include a rigorous assessment of the events that led to the oil spill and identify any measures to minimise the risk of another incident happening again.

Thousands of litres of oil, gas and condensate has been leaking into the Timor Sea since August 21 from a wellhead near PTTEP Australasia's West Atlas oil rig, 250 kilometres from shore.

Efforts to contain the spill will be stepped up tomorrow, when the drilling of a relief well begins.

It is expected to take a month to drill, but the Australian Maritime Safety Authority would continue its conservation efforts in the meantime, Mr Ferguson said.