China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) has initiated a pre-examination public comment period for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) documents of three offshore construction projects. The announcement, made on July 15, 2026, covers an oilfield adjustment project in Bohai Sea, a wind power project in the Yellow Sea off Shandong, and a natural gas pipeline in the South China Sea's Beibu Gulf. The comment period lasts five working days, ending on July 21.
The LD16-3/27-2 oilfield adjustment wells project, proposed by CNOOC China Limited and assessed by Haiyou Environmental Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., plans to drill 10 adjustment wells in Bohai Sea from three platforms. The work involves new subsea water injection wells, sidetracking of existing wells, fracturing, and switching from cold to thermal production, along with laying two subsea umbilical cables of about 60 and 67.2 meters. Platform modifications include deck structure, instrumentation, and piping adjustments. The EIA addresses impacts on seawater quality and marine ecology, proposing measures such as drilling fluid recycling, produced water reinjection, controlled discharge of suspended solids, and fisheries enhancement. Risk prevention covers well blowouts, fires, and ship collisions.
The Sanxia Shandong Muping BDB6# Phase II offshore wind project, located in the Yellow Sea and developed by Sanxia New Energy (Yantai Muping District) Co., Ltd., with EIA by Shandong Island and Coastal Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., will install 26 turbines of 12 MW each, totaling about 312 MW capacity, along with a 220 kV offshore substation. Submarine cable lengths are approximately 50.339 km for inter-array, 58.769 km for export, and 6 km for onshore connections. Onshore facilities will expand on a previously reserved site. Key mitigation includes timing construction to avoid peak spawning and migration periods for species like the Spanish mackerel, and measures to protect spotted seals and finless porpoises, such as soft-start piling and air bubble curtains. Bird monitoring and collision reduction systems are also planned. Oil spill risks from ships and transformers are addressed with emergency equipment.
The WZ12-1 PUQ to Weizhou Terminal natural gas pipeline project, also by CNOOC China Limited and assessed by Haiyou Environmental Technology, will install a 32.8 km subsea pipeline to connect the WZ12-1 PUQ platform to the Weizhou terminal, with a riser replacement on the platform. Construction will avoid critical periods for the national aquatic germplasm resources conservation area and spawning grounds of species like the crimson snapper. Measures to protect Bryde's whales and Chinese white dolphins include vessel speed limits and work stoppages upon sighting. Risks such as fires and gas leaks are managed through safety systems and standby vessels.
For all three projects, the MEE notice states that applicants and interested parties may request a hearing within five days under the Administrative License Law. The correspondence address is No. 12 Dongchang'an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100006.