ConocoPhillips: new oil leak sources under control

China.org.cn, August 30, 2011

ConocoPhillips China, the operator of two leaking oil platforms off Northern China's Bohai Bay, said Monday that it has made the new oil spill sources under control and cleaned up 99% of the leaking oil by Aug. 29, 2011.

The North China Sea Branch of SOA said that it plans to file a lawsuit against ConocoPhillips China over the leak. [File photo]

The North China Sea Branch of SOA said that it plans to file a lawsuit against ConocoPhillips China over the leak. [File photo] 

The company claimed in a statement that 12 of the 16 additional sources of leaks spotted last week have disappeared from Platform C of the Penglai 19-3 oilfield in Bohai Sea, and only two of the rest four spots are still active.

ConocoPhillips also said they have clean-up 399 cubic meter of oil-based mud as of Monday which was 99 percent of the overall amount around the platform C and the company said it would finish the work by the deadline.

Aug. 31 is the deadline set by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), and they haven't admitted the fact that the platform C has been permanently sealed yet.

Although the company has worked on the spills, pollutants have still been found in the bay, even after cleanup efforts were reported to be complete.

The North China Sea Branch of SOA said that it plans to file a lawsuit against ConocoPhillips China over the leak on Aug. 23, which would be the first such move by a government body.