Oil spills had wider effect
Source: Xinhua |
July 13, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S maritime authorities said yesterday that two oil spills that occurred near the country's northeastern coast last month have had a negative effect on water quality in a "broad sea area" in addition to seriously polluting 840 square kilometers of sea area.
An area of 3,400 square kilometers in China's Bohai Bay has been affected by the spills, with the area's water quality rating slipping from level I to levels III and IV, the North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration announced in a press release.
The oil spills, which occurred in the bay's Penglai 19-3 oilfield, have also seriously polluted 840 km of sea area in the bay, sending water quality ratings in the area to their lowest level. Spilled oil has been detected in sediment samples taken from areas near the oilfield, according to the press release.
The oilfield is home to oil platforms operated by ConocoPhillips China (COPC), a subsidiary of US energy giant ConocoPhillips, under a joint development agreement with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, the country's largest offshore oil producer.
While the COPC said last week that the oil spills have been contained and that clean-up efforts have nearly been finished, a statement issued by the SOA on Monday said that investigators found a "small amount" of oil leaking from one platform.
The first oil spill was reported to the SOA North China Sea Branch by ConocoPhillips on June 4, with the second spill reported on June 17. The leaks were brought under control by June 19 and 21, respectively.
The first spill occurred when ConocoPhillips workers were drilling into the seabed near the oilfield. The increased pressure from their drilling operations caused oil to be released from the seabed before it could be contained. The second spill was caused by an oil well surge, according to the SOA. No further details were made available.
The SOA said the COPC will be fined 200,000 yuan (US$30,770) for the oil spills.
But Wang Bin, a senior official with the SOA oceanic environmental protection bureau, said authorities will also claim environmental payment from the COPC in accordance with relevant laws.
An area of 3,400 square kilometers in China's Bohai Bay has been affected by the spills, with the area's water quality rating slipping from level I to levels III and IV, the North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration announced in a press release.
The oil spills, which occurred in the bay's Penglai 19-3 oilfield, have also seriously polluted 840 km of sea area in the bay, sending water quality ratings in the area to their lowest level. Spilled oil has been detected in sediment samples taken from areas near the oilfield, according to the press release.
The oilfield is home to oil platforms operated by ConocoPhillips China (COPC), a subsidiary of US energy giant ConocoPhillips, under a joint development agreement with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, the country's largest offshore oil producer.
While the COPC said last week that the oil spills have been contained and that clean-up efforts have nearly been finished, a statement issued by the SOA on Monday said that investigators found a "small amount" of oil leaking from one platform.
The first oil spill was reported to the SOA North China Sea Branch by ConocoPhillips on June 4, with the second spill reported on June 17. The leaks were brought under control by June 19 and 21, respectively.
The first spill occurred when ConocoPhillips workers were drilling into the seabed near the oilfield. The increased pressure from their drilling operations caused oil to be released from the seabed before it could be contained. The second spill was caused by an oil well surge, according to the SOA. No further details were made available.
The SOA said the COPC will be fined 200,000 yuan (US$30,770) for the oil spills.
But Wang Bin, a senior official with the SOA oceanic environmental protection bureau, said authorities will also claim environmental payment from the COPC in accordance with relevant laws.
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