China orders 'thorough investigation' into oil spills
By Fu Chenghao |
September 8, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA yesterday ordered a thorough investigation into ConocoPhilips' oil spills in the Bohai Bay. It urged the US oil giant to fully block the seeps and identify any potential leaks while cleaning up the spilled fuel.
China also said it would restrict the construction of new petrochemical projects along the bay in a bid to protect the environment from the effects of too much industrial development.
Chinese authorities have yet to pinpoint all the high-risk seep spots, leaving more seeps possible, a State Council meeting, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, was told.
They are still evaluating the losses from the leaks in the country's largest offshore oilfield.
The meeting urged relevant departments to thoroughly investigate the oil spills and "hand out punishments according to the law."
Authorities must "ascertain the cause of the incident, as well as its harm and losses," and safeguard the legal interests of those who have suffered losses, according to a statement released after the meeting.
As of Monday, pollution from the spills had spread across 5,500 square kilometers of sea, resulting in "serious harm to Bohai's marine environment as well as the local fishing industry," said the statement.
The State Council has demanded ConocoPhillips draft a new report concerning the effects of the spill on the marine environment.
In addition, it called for strengthened monitoring and management of the marine environment as well as safety checks over the country's ocean oilfields to eliminate potential risks.
Relevant departments are also urged to make public comprehensive, accurate information on the progress of the incident in a timely manner and step up efforts to improve laws and regulations concerning the protection of the marine environment, the statement said.
Two oil spills, involving 3,200 barrels of oil and drilling fluids, occurred at two platforms of the Penglai 19-3 field in June.
ConocoPhillips said yesterday it would establish a fund to cover the cost of the incidents.
The fund will be designed to address ConocoPhillips' responsibilities in accordance with the relevant laws of China and to benefit the general environment in Bohai Bay, the oil company said. It didn't specify the size of the fund.
China's State Oceanic Administration last week ordered ConocoPhillips to halt operations on the entire Penglai 19-3 oilfield after finding the company failed to fully seal leaks before an August 31 deadline.
The maritime authority is working on details to seek compensation from ConocoPhillips for the ecological damage caused.
ConocoPhillips is the operator of the field with a 49 percent interest. China's offshore oil producer CNOOC Ltd holds 51 percent.
China also said it would restrict the construction of new petrochemical projects along the bay in a bid to protect the environment from the effects of too much industrial development.
Chinese authorities have yet to pinpoint all the high-risk seep spots, leaving more seeps possible, a State Council meeting, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, was told.
They are still evaluating the losses from the leaks in the country's largest offshore oilfield.
The meeting urged relevant departments to thoroughly investigate the oil spills and "hand out punishments according to the law."
Authorities must "ascertain the cause of the incident, as well as its harm and losses," and safeguard the legal interests of those who have suffered losses, according to a statement released after the meeting.
As of Monday, pollution from the spills had spread across 5,500 square kilometers of sea, resulting in "serious harm to Bohai's marine environment as well as the local fishing industry," said the statement.
The State Council has demanded ConocoPhillips draft a new report concerning the effects of the spill on the marine environment.
In addition, it called for strengthened monitoring and management of the marine environment as well as safety checks over the country's ocean oilfields to eliminate potential risks.
Relevant departments are also urged to make public comprehensive, accurate information on the progress of the incident in a timely manner and step up efforts to improve laws and regulations concerning the protection of the marine environment, the statement said.
Two oil spills, involving 3,200 barrels of oil and drilling fluids, occurred at two platforms of the Penglai 19-3 field in June.
ConocoPhillips said yesterday it would establish a fund to cover the cost of the incidents.
The fund will be designed to address ConocoPhillips' responsibilities in accordance with the relevant laws of China and to benefit the general environment in Bohai Bay, the oil company said. It didn't specify the size of the fund.
China's State Oceanic Administration last week ordered ConocoPhillips to halt operations on the entire Penglai 19-3 oilfield after finding the company failed to fully seal leaks before an August 31 deadline.
The maritime authority is working on details to seek compensation from ConocoPhillips for the ecological damage caused.
ConocoPhillips is the operator of the field with a 49 percent interest. China's offshore oil producer CNOOC Ltd holds 51 percent.
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