27-07-2015
A mainland court in Qingdao says it has accepted a case brought by non-government organisations China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation against oil giants ConocoPhillips China and China National Offshore Oil Corp. The case deals with oil spills in Bohai Bay in 2011.
This is the first maritime pollution case brought by a social organisation since China changed its law to allow registered NGOs, which have been dealing with environmental issues for at least five years, to sue heavy polluters.
Qingdao Maritime Court said the plaintiffs want the defendants to repair the damage to the bay and restore the area to its original state prior to the spills.
In June 2011, oil spills from an oilfield, jointly owned by Houston-based ConocoPhillips' Chinese subsidiary and CNOOC, drained into the Bohai Sea and its bay.
In 2012, both companies reached a US$160 million agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture to settle compensation claims related to the spill.
ConocoPhillips also said it would help pay for social projects in Bohai Bay and reduce pollutants there.
http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20150727/news_20150727_56_1119376.htm
