SHANGHAI (AP) - China's oceanic administration is preparing to sue the local unit of ConocoPhilipps for damages to the environment resulting from offshore oil spills that began in June.
The State Oceanic Administration said Tuesday in a notice on its website that it was recruiting legal advisers to pursue compensation claims against the company, which operates the leaking oil wells in Bohai Bay.
ConocoPhilipps said in a statement Monday that it expects to have mud affected by the oil cleaned up by the end of August. A company spokesman said the process was slowed by concerns for worker safety in the unclear waters affected by the spill.