Four oil samples from Quang Nam, Quang Ngai provinces, and Da Nang City in the central region analyzed by the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation and the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology were found to contain a high content of 15a (H) 17a (H) 27 norhopane, 30d and 18a oleanane (300).
 
Crude oil being exploited off Vietnamese shores generally has a low content of these chemicals.

Meanwhile, the oil has spread to several communes in the central Phu Yen province.

The province’s environment department said Saturday that oil has just been discovered running along beaches for nearly 2km in Hoa Hiep Bac commune.

US Asia Hawaii Ventures, whose shrimp raising farms nearby are under threat, has mopped up 500kg of the oil.

There are possibly two separate spills, one spotted early last month and the other this week. They have already greased Ha Tinh province in the north, nine provinces in the central region, and Ba Ria Vung Tau, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang and other localities in the south.

Source: Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre - Translated by A.N.O.N