The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management was quick to point out that the latest safety slug was not in relation to another spill, but in response to concerns that PTTEP may not have a sufficient response capability in the event of another disaster.

 

It had failed to provide adequate training to keep its workers prepared for the worst, the regulator said. 

 

NOPSEMA's concerns relate to the competency, skills and knowledge of emergency management personnel and staff's ability to respond to a spill. 

 

Recent inspections undertaken by NOPSEMA at PTTEP's Australian headquarters and at its offshore facilities identified that PTTEP s nominated emergency management personnel were not up to scratch and did not meet the Montara environmental plan.

 

Further, there was no formal mechanism for ensuring that external personnel resources identified to coordinate and manage an oil spill response within PTTEP emergency management ream were familiar with the relevant processes and procedures, and it could not manage an oil spill response as required. 

 

The improvement notice requires PETTEP to address its non-compliance within 90 days.

 

"PTTEP Australasia takes seriously any issues which may potentially impact environmental management at Montara," a spokesperson told Energy News.

 

"Since the NOPSEMA inspection in March we have taken measures to address gaps in personnel training and external support to supplement our existing oil spill response capacity and ensure compliance as soon as practicable. "

 

The notice will cease to have an effect once PTTEP is deemed compliant. 

 

A revised environmental plan is also required within 90 days, with proposed revisions that will be assessed by NOPSEMA.

 

NOPSEMA said that since 2012 it had conducted 18 inspections of the Montara operations, and it would continue to keep a close-eye on the Thai oiler's operations. 

 

It is the latest humiliating setback for PTTEP, which is among the most watched oilers in Australia.

 

Last month the company was told to modify its plans for additional production drilling.

 

NOPSEMA said it was not satisfied that PTTEP had reduced the risks associated with drilling at the notorious oil field, the first since the original development drilling, and said it had until July 6 to resubmit its plans.

 

The 2009 spill destroyed one drilling rig, severely damaged the Montara wellhead platform, and saw oil and gas spill into the Timor Sea for almost 75 days from the field, about 690km east of Darwin in 77m of water.

 

PTTEP hopes to drill its new Montara well in September over a period of 60 days using the  Noble Corporation jack-up Tom Prosser.