Oil leaks continue despite clean-up
Source: Xinhua |
July 30, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Oil continues to leak at ConocoPhillips's two platforms in the northeast Bohai Bay more than two weeks after Chinese authorities ordered a shutdown of output, according to China's oceanic watchdog.
Remote satellite sensing and patrol boat surveys of the area on Wednesday and Thursday, both conducted by the China State Oceanic Administration SOA, identified several oil slicks in an area of 4.6 square kilometers to the east of the Penglai 19-3 oilfield, although ConocoPhilips's oil-cleaning efforts continue.
The surveillance has determined that the oilfield's platform C continues to leak, and oil slicks have been observed near platform B despite the company's cleaning efforts, according to Lin Fangzhong, an official with the SOA's North China Sea branch.
The density of oil pollutants per liter of sea water sampled in the area reached a maximum of 118 micrograms, exceeding the limit of 50 micrograms per liter defining second-class sea water quality - applicable to aquaculture areas and direct sea water contact with the human body, he said.
Before the oil leak, the sea water quality in the area had reached the country's level-one standard.
The oilfield is jointly operated by ConocoPhillips China, or COPC, a subsidiary of US energy giant ConocoPhillips, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or CNOOC, the country's largest offshore oil producer.
The SOA's North China Sea branch has ordered COPC to contain the oil spills, clean up polluted areas and conduct a thorough investigation to eliminate any further risk of spills and leaks before August 31.
COPC first reported the two oil spills to authorities in early and mid-June, when an area of 840 square kilometers was found to be polluted.
Pollutants from the oil spill have been found spreading to beaches in northern Hebei Province and northeastern -Liaoning Province, which have been blamed for losses in the local tourism revenue and the aquatic farming industry.
Another oil spill reported on July 12 occurred at the Suizhong 36-1 oilfield's central platform, which is also operated by CNOOC. It was the third spill in two months in Bohai Bay.
Remote satellite sensing and patrol boat surveys of the area on Wednesday and Thursday, both conducted by the China State Oceanic Administration SOA, identified several oil slicks in an area of 4.6 square kilometers to the east of the Penglai 19-3 oilfield, although ConocoPhilips's oil-cleaning efforts continue.
The surveillance has determined that the oilfield's platform C continues to leak, and oil slicks have been observed near platform B despite the company's cleaning efforts, according to Lin Fangzhong, an official with the SOA's North China Sea branch.
The density of oil pollutants per liter of sea water sampled in the area reached a maximum of 118 micrograms, exceeding the limit of 50 micrograms per liter defining second-class sea water quality - applicable to aquaculture areas and direct sea water contact with the human body, he said.
Before the oil leak, the sea water quality in the area had reached the country's level-one standard.
The oilfield is jointly operated by ConocoPhillips China, or COPC, a subsidiary of US energy giant ConocoPhillips, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or CNOOC, the country's largest offshore oil producer.
The SOA's North China Sea branch has ordered COPC to contain the oil spills, clean up polluted areas and conduct a thorough investigation to eliminate any further risk of spills and leaks before August 31.
COPC first reported the two oil spills to authorities in early and mid-June, when an area of 840 square kilometers was found to be polluted.
Pollutants from the oil spill have been found spreading to beaches in northern Hebei Province and northeastern -Liaoning Province, which have been blamed for losses in the local tourism revenue and the aquatic farming industry.
Another oil spill reported on July 12 occurred at the Suizhong 36-1 oilfield's central platform, which is also operated by CNOOC. It was the third spill in two months in Bohai Bay.
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