Timeline of Bohai Bay oil spill
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China.org.cn, October 21, 2011
June 4
Leaking oil is detected near Platform B of Penglai 19-3 oilfield in northern Bohai Bay.
June 8
The source is found on the seabed in Penglai 19-3.
June 12
The State Oceanic Administration's north sea branch confirms the source of the leak.
June 17
That branch receives a report from ConocoPhillips of a second spill, near Platform C.
June 21
An unidentified person discloses information about the oil spills, and micro bloggers spread it widely.
June 30
Southern Weekly newspaper confirms and reports the spills.
July 5
The State Oceanic Administration gives its first briefing on the spills. Eleven environmental protection organizations send an open letter to ConocoPhillips China, demanding a public apology for the spills and for the company's attempts to conceal them for almost a month.
July 6
The company says the main spill has been contained and the cleanup is nearly finished.
July 13
The administration strongly criticizes the company as being ineffective in containing the leak - which has contaminated at least 4,240 square kilometers - and orders the company to halt production in the affected areas.
July 14
ConocoPhillips estimates the oil spilled into Bohai Bay will reach 1,500 barrels.
July 19
Particles and patches of oil are found along the coasts of northern Hebei and Liaoning provinces. The State Oceanic Administration's north sea branch confirms they are from Penglai 19-3.
July 28
The administration confirms that a sheen of oil from Penglai 19-3 has reached parts of the Shandong province coast.
July 29
The administration tells ConocoPhillips it has until Aug 31 to stop the leaks, clean up the polluted areas and complete a thorough investigation to prevent further spills.
Aug 3
ConocoPillips China finds more oil-based drilling mud near a rig.
Aug 7
The company misses an Aug 7 deadline to clean up all oil-contaminated mud from the seabed near Platform C. The administration urges the company to apologize. On the same day, ConocoPhillips reports two new leaks near Platform B.
Aug 12
The company says the spill volume exceeds 3,200 barrels and concedes it has not done enough to check for potential leaks.
Aug 16
The administration says it will sue ConocoPhillips China for ecological compensation.
Aug 19
A joint investigation team by seven ministries is formed to probe the spills. ConocoPhillips makes its first public apology since the spill started.
Aug 20
The company reports oil is leaking at nine points near Platform C.
Aug 23
The administration says 5,500 sq km of seawater in Bohai Bay have been polluted, with 870 sq km severely contaminated.
Aug 24
ConocoPhillips says all the leaks have been permanently plugged and it is well on track to meet the cleanup deadline.
Aug 25
The State Oceanic Administration says it found 16 leaks near Platform C.
Aug 29
ConocoPhillips says it has cleaned up 99 percent of oil-based drilling mud.
Aug 31
ConocoPhillips says it has sealed all leaks and will take precautions to avert further spills.
Sept. 7
The State Council warned of serious environmental problems in Bohai Bay after a meeting on the handling of the oil spill.
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