On Sunday, the New York Times reported that a delicate marine environment off of the Australian coast is in grave danger because of increased oil and gas explorations in the area.
According to the TImes, "A damaged oil well in the region has been spewing thousands of gallons of crude oil into the Timor Sea since Aug. 21, when a blowout forced the evacuation of all 69 workers on the platform. Emergency crews have been working overtime to contain the spill, but officials say it could take about three more weeks to plug the leak."
On Tuesday, the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) reported AFP reported an estimated 400 barrels of oil spill daily from the leak.
After a mobile drilling rig arrived from Indonesia on Monday, crews began drilling a relief well to divert the leaking oil and gas. However, the machine needs to bore 2.6 kilometres (1.6 miles) under the seabed, which will take about a week.
Because of the grave damage and the increase of oil wells in the region, the Times reports a call for protection in the area; officials have used the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989 as a platform example for concern.
In the first half of this year, more than 50 wells were drilled in the tropical waters off western Australia, adding to hundreds of other recent projects. Last month, the government gave Chevron the green light to expand its exploration of the huge Gorgon gas field, a $40 billion project that was opposed by conservationists because of its potential environmental impact.
The AFP reports tonnes of dispersant chemicals have been dumped on the spill, reportedly Australia's worst since offshore drilling began more than 40 years ago, and ecologists fear the toxic cocktail could threaten marine and coastal species.
The area is said to rival the beauty and delicate nature of the better-known Great Barrier Reef.
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