The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce says the company responsible for the Montara Well oil spill in August last year owes an estimated $2 million to Northern Territory businesses.

Several Territory engineering and fabrication companies which did work for PTTEP Australasia before the spill, have told the Territory Chamber of Commerce they are owed a total of about $2 million by the company.

The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce says the businesses supplied services to PTTEP Australasia in August, and they have not yet been paid.

The Chamber’s Chris Young said the debts might force job losses.

“Those companies are either going to find it very difficult to continue operating or if they are going to continue they are probably going to have cut costs in other ways,” Mr Young said.

“My major concern is that usually if a company finds itself in financial difficulties one of the first things it does is it lets go staff, either tradesman or if it has apprentices it will let go their apprentices, because that is one way they can save costs.”

The Chamber said the companies hoped to recoup their costs or negotiate payment plans.

Darwin-based company, Universal Engineering says it will be forced to lay off apprentices because of unpaid debts owed by PTTEP.

The company says it is owed several hundred thousand dollars for services provided to PTTEP prior to the spill.

Universal’s chief executive, Steve Tiley says almost 20 employees have been let go since the incident and more cuts may be required if PTTEP does not settle the debt.

“At the moment we have around about 16 apprentices on and if we continue to stagnate on these payments I’ve got to cut some costs somewhere,” Mr Tiley said.

“Unfortunately these apprentices will be handed back to the Australian Apprentices Commission and we will have to reassess it when we get back on our feet and get this payment finally sorted out.”

A spokesman for PTTEP says the company is currently in ongoing contractual and commercial discussions with Universal Engineering.

“Amounts have been paid by PTTEP to Universal Engineering in the past and PTTEP is working to resolve any valid outstanding amounts as quickly as possible,” the spokesman said.

In response to the comments from the Chamber of Commerce, the spokesman said PTTEP was “not aware of any outstanding accounts that are not being dealt with”.

“The Timor Sea incident was a massive operation involving more than 300 people offshore, and dozens of suppliers from the Northern Territory, interstate and overseas,” he said.

“So far the well kill and cleanup operation cost has been significant – a cost which PTTEP has agreed to pay.

“The scale of these operations means some payments to suppliers are currently being processed.

“Negotiations with suppliers are taking place on case by case basis.

“All valid accounts owing are being paid without delay. There is no issue with valid payments not being paid.”