China consults public on environment protection during offshore oil drilling

BEIJING — A draft revision of guidelines on environmental protection during offshore oil drilling opened for public suggestions on Aug 16, China's Ministry of Justice said.

Preserving the marine environment will be made part of the drilling companies' legal obligations, the draft revision says, requiring intensified supervision and management of drilling companies.

The draft details measures for pollution prevention and control, including pollutant discharge and its treatment, and stresses the need to improve emergency response in case of oil spills.

To deter offenders and rectify law-breaking activities, the draft adds penalties of operation suspension pending rectification or full shutdown and stipulates that fines will accrue on a daily basis.

The draft revision is open for public input until Aug 30, 2019.