China: East China Sea environmental report approved

China’s State Oceanic Administration has formally approved the environmental impact assessment report that relates to the LS36-1 gas field development on Block 25/34 in the East China Sea, said Primeline Energy Holdings Inc. and CNOOC Ltd.

The administration had previously approved the routing of a pipeline for the development. The Safety Assessment and Occupational Hazard Assessment of the Development have also been approved by relevant government departments.

The EIA approval paves the way for the final regulatory approval required for the development, namely approval of the Overall Development Program. Primeline expects that CNOOC will submit the ODP for confirmation by the National Reform and Development Committee shortly.

In the meantime, CNOOC as the development operator has stepped up development preparation work. Major construction contracts have been signed, and fabrication of the platform and work on the pipeline are proceeding smoothly. The development is on schedule for first production expected to be around the third quarter of 2013.