Environmental groups discontented
Despite the efforts, China's environmental groups are not satisfied with the company's response.
12 environmental organizations, including Friends of Nature and the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE)，released a public letter on Monday calling for transparency in the environmental assessment process.
The letter said that both China National Offshore Oil Corp and ConocoPhillips have failed to release an investigative report evaluating the damages caused by the leak so far, and demanded the two companies draft a compensation plan.
The letter also asked the SOA to sue both companies on behalf of the state's interest.
Li Bo, director of Friends of Nature, told the Beijing News that fishermen at Bohai Bay are suffering from severe economic losses due to the leak, and that the pollution has not yet been brought under control.
Li said the communication between the group and the SOA has been smooth, and the SOA had said it may consider filing an environment-based lawsuit against the companies.
According to an SOA official quoted in a China Daily report, the density of oil pollutants per liter of sea water sampled in the area reached a maximum of 118 micrograms, far exceeding the limit of 50 micrograms per liter set for the country's second-class sea water quality.
Before the oil leak, the sea water quality in the area had reached the country's level-one standard.
