Peng Lai 19-3 Incidents Timeline
JUNE 4, 2011 – From June 4 to June 21, approximately 100 barrels (18 cubic meters) of oil seeped from a previously inactive fault in the reservoir structure near Platform B in the Peng Lai 19-3 Field in China’s Bohai Bay. ConocoPhillips China (COPC) immediately deployed skimmers, absorbent booms and other clean-up equipment, and we began reducing reservoir pressure to help stop the seep. Chinese government authorities were notified immediately, as was our co-venturer, China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC).
JUNE 17, 2011 – In a separate, unrelated incident, a well being drilled on COPC’s Platform C in the Peng Lai 19-3 Field encountered a high-pressure zone within the reservoir. Approximately 600 barrels (97 cubic meters) of oil and about 2,620 barrels (416 cubic meters) of mineral oil-based mud were released onto the seabed. Chinese government authorities and CNOOC were notified of the incident and containment measures began immediately.
JUNE 18, 2011 – Employees began patrolling the shoreline to monitor and protect the coast in the event some of the oil was carried there by the current.
JUNE 19, 2011 – Within 48 hours, a cementing procedure stopped the release at Platform C.
JUNE 21, 2011 – Reservoir pressure continued to be reduced and the seep stopped at Platform B. In all, more than 900 personnel and 35 vessels would be involved in the response efforts for the incidents at platforms B and C.
JULY 3, 2011 – As an additional precautionary measure, a steel subsea containment structure was placed over the seep near Platform B.
JULY 19, 2011 – COPC led a group of reporters on a tour of the Peng Lai field. Reporters observed current conditions and clean-up progress.
JULY 22, 2011 – COPC launched a website to provide daily updates in both English and Chinese to provide the public with more information about the two incidents and response activities.
AUG. 6, 2011 – To ensure the safety of those involved, all clean-up efforts were suspended as a typhoon approached Bohai Bay.
AUG. 10, 2011 – Typhoon Muifa subsided and clean-up operations resumed.
AUG. 31, 2011 – COPC filed its report responding to State Oceanic Administration (SOA) orders 11 and 13.
SEP. 2, 2011 – SOA directed COPC to suspend all production, water injection and drilling operations in the Peng Lai 19-3 Field. The directive also required that COPC continue clean-up efforts, seal oil seep sources, prepare a new marine environmental impact report for the oil field, and develop a plan for reducing reservoir pressure to ensure safety of the field and to protect the environment. COPC immediately complied with this order.
SEP. 6, 2011 – ConocoPhillips announced the establishment of a fund to provide fair and reasonable compensation for any damages arising from the incidents.
SEP. 11, 2011 – CNOOC agreed to COPC’s plans to depressurize the reservoir and take additional precautionary measures to seal seep sources in the Peng Lai 19-3 Field.
SEP. 12, 2011 – COPC began depressurizing activities on Platform B.
SEP. 18, 2011 – ConocoPhillips announced the establishment of a second fund to specifically address environmental issues in Bohai Bay.
OCT. 12, 2011 – Shoreline surveillance teams are demobilized. In total, the teams covered nearly 155,000 kilometers of shoreline by vehicle and 8,500 kilometers on foot. While patrolling, the teams picked up and disposed of more than 16,000 kg (35,000 lbs.) of trash and debris along beaches.
Jan. 24, 2012 - ConocoPhillips reached an agreement with China's Ministry of Agriculture that fulfills the objectives of the compensation fund. Under this agreement, RMB 1 billion (approximately $160 million) will be paid as compensation to settle public and private claims of potentially affected fishermen in relevant Bohai Bay communities.