"We estimate that about 800,000 litres of fluid - the bulk of it oil but also containing some water - was retrieved by early today from the site to storage facilities," said Rod Rayner, Santos' general manager for Northern Australia.

"We are working towards removing the remaining free oil as soon as possible," said Rayner. "Remediation and repair of the pipeline and establishing the cause of the leak, can then commence."

Santos was continuing to work with authorities to restore normal activities in the area.