The Federal Resources Minister says oil companies will be forced to co-operate with an inquiry into the West Atlas oil spill.

Martin Ferguson says the 10 week spill has damaged the industry.

The inquiry will have the powers of a Royal Commission.

The former secretary of the Department of Environment, David Borthwick will head the inquiry and decide if the findings are conducted in public.

Mr Ferguson says the company responsible for the spill, PTTEP Australasia will have to take part in the inquiry.

"If there is any reluctance by a company or any individual to co-operate with the commissioner then he has legal capacity to force co-operation," he said.

However, Mr Ferguson says the inquiry is not a chance for people to voice their objections to the industry as a whole.

"This is not about creating a political soap box for people to actually spend their whole time attacking the petroleum industry in Australia," he said.

"It's very important to Australia's future and if people have a desire to actually pursue a policy option which is about actually closing the industry down that is a separate debate."