GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Oil and gas prospectors have the Plettenberg Bay and Knysna region in their sights with an upstream company planning to conduct a 3-D seismic survey to prospect for these resources in the area.
The planned activities have however sparked fears of adverse effects on the environment and are expected to see opposition from local environmental activists.
“The seismic survey will result in unavoidable adverse environmental impacts, although these are of relatively limited extent,” the initial environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the proposal revealed.
Sungu Sungu Oil has submitted an application for an exploration right in for the area, which falls within the 11 224km2 Pletmos Basin, which was accepted by the Petroleum Agency South Africa (Pasa) on September 19 last year.
The company was, however, instructed by Pasa to conduct an EIA. This process, undertaken by SRK Consulting, is currently under way and a meeting with interested parties will be held at the Piesang Valley community hall in Plettenberg Bay on May 3, between 15:00 and 18:00 and at the same time on May 4, at the St Francis Bay village hall.
The basin is located off the south coast of South Africa, roughly between Knysna in the west and Jeffrey’s Bay in the east. The target area is located about 12km offshore and reaches up to 60km out to sea just east of Plettenberg Bay and just west of Cape St Francis. The target area is about 2 500km2 in the basin.
According to the EIA report, offshore seismic surveys are undertaken with purpose-built or converted vessels. The seismic vessel tows the sound sources, which are typically pneumatic devices (airguns) that can release high-pressure air into the surrounding water and the seabed.
The EIA report revealed that several types of waste, emissions and discharges would be generated during the seismic survey, including noise emissions from the airguns; air emissions from the seismic vessel’s engines and generators; as well as a supply boat, chase boats and helicopters.
Key comments and concerns raised by stakeholders so far relate to potential ecological impacts, specifically on marine fauna, due to the generation of underwater noise and the proximity to areas of environmental importance; potential economic impacts if fishing stocks and/or tourism is affected; and the undesirability of the seismic survey and possible subsequent exploitation of mineral resources due to the above potential impacts.
The EIA has identified periods of particular importance to certain marine fauna and/or fishing sectors, during which seismic surveys should ideally be avoided to reduce adverse impacts.
Sensitive periods occur throughout the year, however, resulting in the fact that there would be no single, ideal window period to conduct the seismic survey so as to further reduce all impacts, but according to the EIA, February to May would be the most suitable period for this activity, where adverse effects are largely minimised.
“The seismic survey will result in unavoidable adverse environmental impacts, although these are of relatively limited extent, given the limited footprint of the target area (relative to the Pletmos Basin), relatively short duration of the survey and transient nature of the seismic survey (no physical infrastructure will be installed).
Consequently, none of these adverse impacts is considered unacceptably significant and all can be managed to tolerable levels through the effective implementation of the recommended mitigation measures,” the report read.
Plettenberg Bay Community Environmental Forum spokesperson Basil van Rooyen said that the organisation was aware of the proposed project. He added that there were limited studies available on the impact of seismic surveying and that they would not only comment on the plans but also make an objection.
Should signs of oil or gas be found, new EIA processes would follow before drilling can commence.
To register as an interested or affected party, contact Wanda Marais of SRK Conusulting on 041-509-4850 or email wmarais@srk.co.za.
Sungu Sungu did not comment on the project before going to print.
The Pletmos Basin is located off the South Coast of South Africa, roughly between Knysna in the west and Jeffrey’s Bay in the east. The target area is located about 12km offshore and reaches up to 60km out to sea just East of Plettenberg Bay and just West of Cape St Francis. The target area is about 2500km2 in the basin. Photos: Supplied
ARTICLE: YOLANDé STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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