A senior US senator has demanded a federal investigation into the company responsible for the crippled Montara oil well which spewed tens of thousands of barrels into the Timor Sea.
A senior US senator has demanded a federal investigation into the company responsible for operating the crippled oil rig at the Montara oil project which spewed thousands of barrels of condensate into the Timor Sea.
Fearful of the potential for a similar spill off the US coast, New Jersey Democarat Robert Menendez, a member of the US Government's Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has demanded a formal investigation into the activities of Seadrill Limited, the Norwegian-listed company which owns both the crippled West Atlas rig at Montara, and the West Triton relief rig used to plug the well two weeks ago.
Noting that Seadrill had at least one rig operating off the US east coast in the Gulf of Mexico, Senator Menendez overnight sent a letter demanding a full investigation into Seadrill to US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
In his letter, sent on the eve of an Energy Committee hearing on coastline drilling, Senator Menendez raised numerous concerns about the potential for oil spills from drilling along the US coastline.
"We have heard much conjecture by industry that oil drilling accidents cannot happen here in the United Sates because the technology is too advanced," wrote Senator Menendez. "As a firm that is considered an international leader in drilling, with what is considered one of the "most modern fleets in the world" - Seadrill has proven that accidents do, in fact, happen.
"It remains unclear exactly what caused the accident in the Timor Sea, and pending a comprehensive investigation being conducted by Australian authorities, it is clear that we must do all we can to ensure that this kind of tragedy is not repeated on our coasts.
"It is imperative that we understand the extent of Seadrill's operations here in the United States and ensure they are operating as safely as possible. I therefore request a full investigation of this firm and a careful review of Seadrill's compliance with American safety standards."
Seadrill this month said it may have to completely write off the West Atlas rig, which cost $US129 million to build in 2007, as a result of the fire which erupted when the leak was finally plugged two weeks ago.
Australia's federal government has already announced a full investigation into the spill with the powers of a royal commission.
Additionally, a search by WA Business News has revealed that Seadrill is also a 24.3 per cent owner of Malaysia-based SapuraCrest Petroleum, which in partnership with Norway's Acergy, last month won a $195 million contract for the offshore development work at Apache Energy's Reindeer gas field that will supply the Devil Creek domestic gas plant in the Pilbara.
