BEIJING, July 15 (UPI) -- A second oil spill fouled Bohai Bay, an arm of the Yellow Sea, which separates China and the Korean Peninsula, Chinese officials said.

The spill first reported Tuesday is smaller than an earlier one, China News TV reported. On Tuesday, the State Oceanic Administration said an oil slick covered less than half a square mile.


CNOOC, the state-owned oil company that operates the Suizhong 36-1 oil field in Bohai Bay, said the spill was cleaned up by Wednesday.

But the larger earlier spill, which involved two drilling platforms, continues to foul the water in the bay, officials said. So far, experts say it has not affected the coasts.

The two spills have raised concerns in China and South Korea about the environmental effect of drilling in Bohai Bay. South Korea has said it wants to discuss the impact with China.