Brief: Seadrill is a leading offshore deepwater drilling company and owner of the PTTEP-operated West Atlas rig that was involved in the Montara oil field incident off the northern coast of Western Australia in August 2009 and subsequent rig and platform fire in November 2009. Clarity was asked to act as the Australian media and PR representatives for Norway-based Seadrill.

Solution: Clarity provided ongoing counsel and handled all global media enquiries on Seadrill's behalf immediately following the incident and for several months following. Clarity representatives attended the Federal Commission of Inquiry held in Canberra and responded to media on behalf of Seadrill over the course of the inquiry.

Results: Having Clarity act as local media representatives, meant all media enquiries were dealt with in local time and by local people. Seadrill senior executives were also then free to work with the insurers and the salvage team to mobilise the rig salvage operation following the incident.