PTTEP says ready to take responsibility for damage to Indonesia

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) -- PTT Exploration and Production Public Co, Ltd (PTTEP) said it will take responsibility for any proven damage amounting more than 2 billion US dollars to Indonesia's environment and marine life after the Indonesian government filed a lawsuit charging the firm and its Australian unit for an oil spill in the Timor Sea in 2009. PTTEP sources said the company had learned about the lawsuit filed against it but had not yet formally received the lawsuit document. PTTEP had cooperated with the Jakarta government since the accident began and is prepared to continue cooperation in future, said the sources. But its related company PTTEP Australasia which is responsible for the Mondara oil field has never received a “clear evidence” from the Indonesia government saying about damages which occurred after that accident, sources said. Also, a scientific study conducted by the Australian government has confirmed that the accident did not affect any ecology, etc in the area which connects with the Indonesian territorial waters, sources said. The oil spill at the Mondara oil field took place on August 21, 2009 and, according to a wire service report, Indonesia’s Deputy Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno was quoted as saying that the lawsuit was registered last Wednesday at the Central Jakarta District Court against PTT Plc, the PTTEP Australasia and PTTEP. He said the demand for compensation includes 1.725 billion US dollars for environmental damage and 330 million US dollars for restoration work. (TNA)