Origin’s Australia Pacific LNG back to work

Company News

Origin Energy Limited (ASX:ORG) says drilling operations are beginning to restart at its Australia Pacific LNG Project in central Queensland. 

The news comes after the energy giant suspended coal seam gas drilling at 12 rig sites due to an asbestos scare last week. 

One of the company’s suppliers, owned by Imdex Limited (ASX:IMD), identified asbestos in drilling fluids it was using and has since withdrawn the product from market. 

Origin has advised five drilling rigs have now returned to work and the remaining seven are expected to progressively return over the coming days. 

The company says it continues to assess the drilling rigs to ensure they have no traces of asbestos or have been verified as safe and cleared to resume operations. 

Origin Energy’s net profit fell 39 per cent to $372 million in the first half of the 2014 financial year. 

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