The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) has now completed its investigation into the ConocoPhilips oil spill in Bohai Bay and a lawyer involved in the case told the National Business Daily on Oct 17 that the law firms involved in filing proceedings against ConocoPhilips had completed their case.

Meanwhile, after carrying out an inspection at the Penglai 19-3 oil field in Bohai Bay, the SOA demanded that the oil spill be halted before the onset of winter.

Four law firms began proceedings for ecological compensation against ConocoPhilips after they signed an agreement with SOA on Aug 30. Following two months of evidence collection and examination, the case has now been completed and submitted to the SOA.

"The case has been thoroughly investigated, but we don't know when it will be approved. I think we will get a ruling soon,” said a lawyer from one of the four firms prosecuting the case. However, he refused to give any details about the lawsuit.

"We have not yet received an indictment from the court," Xue Dongming, ConocoPhillips China corporate communications and corporate social responsibility director told the National Business Daily. He added: "We are increasing efforts to stop the oil spill, as the clean-up operation will become much more difficult once winter comes.”

The clean-up work in the Penglai 19-3 oil field is still ongoing, following a number of oil spills from the C platform.

ConocoPhilips China has taken steps to plug the leaks, and is also modifying the overall development plan of the Penglai 19-3 oil field, which the company will submit to the National Development and Reform Commission. The company will also rewrite the assessment report detailing how the development of the oil field has influenced the marine environment. The completed report will be submitted to the SOA.