2016-09-12
South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is calling for a delay in the approval process for BP drilling in the Great Australian Bight after it was revealed today that oil rigs poised to be used there could use faulty equipment that US regulators say is very likely to cause a catastrophic incident.
"This revelation is extremely concerning and goes to show why the decision to approve drilling should not be rushed," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"NOPSEMA should delay their decision, due in just a week's time, and be open about the potential for faulty equipment to be used in the Bight.
"The fact that BP won't rule out the use of these dangerous, substandard bolts is concerning. The entire process has been so secretive and opaque from the beginning that even basic information like this has been impossible to come by.
"Clearly we need to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on here and whether these questionable bolts will be used.
"The Senate inquiry that we will re-establish in coming days will take a long hard look at how all of this could affect the likelihood of a devastating spill in the Bight."
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