ConocoPhillips and CNOOC have confirmed that they have received notice from the Tianjin Maritime Court calling for their response on a case filed by fish farmers over an oil spill incident at the Penglai 19-3 oil field in China's Bohai Bay.

"We have received notice from the Tianjin Maritime Court that a lawsuit has been filed against ConocoPhillips China and CNOOC, on behalf of 29 [fish farmers]," a spokeswoman from ConocoPhillips China said in an email on Wednesday.

Late Tuesday, CNOOC said that its state-owned parent, China National Offshore Oil Corp., has received the notice from the court calling for its response filed by 29 marine product farmers from Laoting County, Tangshan city, in the northern Hebei province.

The fish farmers claim that the oil spills last June led to cultivation losses and are seeking compensation for cultivation losses of Yuan 234.5746 million ($37.14 million), valuation fees of Yuan 7.0372 million and relevant litigation costs, CNOOC said.

CNOOC said it has consulted its legal advisers in relation to the matter.

Just two weeks ago, CNOOC said it will contribute Yuan 500 million to a marine environment and ecological protection fund to be set up by its parent company to pay for damage to the environment caused by the oil spills that occurred on June 4 and June 17 at the Penglai 19-3 oil field in Bohai Bay.

ConocoPhillips is the operator of the field, with a 49% interest, while CNOOC holds the majority 51% stake.

CNOOC said the fund will focus primarily on marine environmental and ecological protection, as well as related scientific research and technology advancement and other charitable public welfare projects.

ConocoPhillips has also set up two separate funds, one to provide compensation for damages arising from the incidents and another to address environmental issues, although it has not disclosed information on the size of the funds.

"ConocoPhillips is establishing the Bohai Bay compensation fund to offer claimants who have been damaged an additional, simple way to pursue a fair solution," the spokeswoman from ConocoPhillips said.

"We deeply regret these accidents and want to support the communities in which we operate," the spokeswoman added.