Origin Energy has restarted drilling on five of 12 southeast Queensland rigs where operations were suspended due to asbestos contamination.

Origin suspended work at its Australian Pacific liquefied natural gas (LNG) project last week after drilling fluid supplier Australian Mud Company notified it that an additive was recently found to contain asbestos.

Origin says it is conducting airborne and surface testing to ensure drilling rigs either have no traces of asbestos or have been verified as safe and cleared to resume operations.

“As a result, five of the previously suspended drilling rigs have been tested and returned to work,” the company said.

The remaining seven rigs are expected to return to service over the coming days.

Origin previously said all stocks of affected material had been quarantined and accounted for throughout the supply chain.

Specialist waste removal experts last week were removing material from each location for safe disposal.