国际英语新闻：BP's spill-related claims payments reach 256 million dollars

HOUSTON, July 28 (Xinhua) -- British oil giant BP said on Wednesday it has paid 256 million U.S. dollars to claimants who have lost income or net profit due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The London-based company said in a news release that it has paid 30 million dollars in the past week and will start paying another 60 million in advance money to cover August payments.

Fishermen received 39 million dollars, shrimpers 23 million, oyster harvesters 8 million, and charter boat owners 6 million, according to BP.

More than 117 million dollars has gone to individuals and businesses in a variety of occupations including those who work as deck hands and in seafood processing, BP said.

The company said it has received 133,000 claims and has issued more than 83,000 checks in the 12 weeks since it began making claim payments on May 3.

Currently, BP has 36 claims offices and one mobile claims office in the Gulf Coast states, and has 1,600 people in its claims team.