QINGDAO - More than 10 legal advisory agencies have shown interest in handling a suit being brought against US-based oil company ConocoPhillips over environmental damage caused by oil spills in north China's Bohai Bay, China's maritime authorities said Thursday.

The North China Sea branch of the State Oceanic Administration said that agencies that wish to handle the case should submit applications to the branch by Saturday.

A panel of domestic jurists and marine experts will be organized to conduct a preliminary examination of the applications. About five qualified agencies will be selected as potential representatives. A legal service team, including a main acting agent and three to four assisting agents, will be established to handle the case after the evaluation process is completed.

The SOA posted a notice on its website on Monday saying that oil spills originating from oil platforms belonging to ConocoPhillips China, a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, have contaminated China's marine ecosystem.

The North China Sea branch of the SOA intends to take legal action against the company according to relevant regulations and laws, the notice said.