GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Despite large-scale opposition to a proposed 3-D seismic oil and gas prospecting survey along the Southern Cape coast, air blasting of the seabed is set to take place between February and May.
Stakeholders and interested parties were informed on Friday 12 January that Acting Deputy Director-general for Mineral Regulation Seipati Sylvia Dhlamini has granted environmental authorisation to Sungu Sungu Oil (Sungu) to undertake the survey, subject to compliance with several conditions, including a 20-day period for appeal.
The survey is set to involve the use of air guns that shoot loud blasts of compressed air through the water and into the seabed.
The project is part of an application by Sungu for an oil and gas exploration in an area that falls within the 11 224km² Pletmos Basin.
It is set to involve a 3-D seismic survey in the basin located off the South Coast, roughly between Knysna in the west and Jeffrey's Bay in the east.
The target area, about 2 500km² of the basin, is located approximately 12km offshore and reaches up to 60km out to sea just east of Plettenberg Bay and west of Cape St Francis.
During the public participation process of the EIA phase, some 400 stakeholder comments were garnered and a petition against the project was signed by 1 186 people.
Ecological impact
The main issues raised include that the survey could have significant ecological impact, specifically on marine fauna, due to the generation of underwater noise and the proximity of areas of environmental importance.
The proposed survey area is in the vicinity of nationally and internationally recognised important or protected areas.
Another major concern is the impact on marine fauna through entanglement in survey equipment or offshore water pollution.
An artist's impression of a typical offshore seismic survey operation.
Appeal deadline
The deadline for these submissions is 1 February. A written appeal must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and copies of the appeal documentation must also be served on the Department of Mineral Resources, the Petroleum Agency SA, the applicant and known interested and affected parties.
Despite large-scale opposition to a proposed 3-D seismic oil and gas prospecting survey along the Southern Cape coast, the project has been authorised subject to a few minor conditions.
Stakeholders and interested parties were informed on Friday 12 January that acting deputy director-general for mineral regulation Seipati Sylvia Dhlamini granted environmental authorisation to Sungu Sungu Oil (Sungu) to undertake the survey, subject to compliance with several conditions, including a 20-day period for appeal.
The survey is set to involve the use of air guns that shoot loud blasts of compressed air through the water and into the seabed.
The planned project is part of an application by Sungu for an oil and gas exploration in an area that falls within the 11 224km² Pletmos Basin.
The project is set to involve a 3-D seismic survey in the basin located off the South Coast, roughly between Knysna in the west and Jeffrey's Bay in the east.
The target area, about 2 500km² of the basin, is located approximately 12km offshore and reaches up to 60km out to sea just east of Plettenberg Bay and west of Cape St Francis.
During the public participation process of the EIA phase, some 400 stakeholder comments were garnered and a petition against the project was signed by 1 186 people.
Ecological impacts
The main issues raised by stakeholders include that the survey could have significant ecological impacts, specifically on marine fauna, due to the generation of underwater noise and the proximity of areas of environmental importance.
The proposed survey area is in the vicinity of nationally and internationally recognised important or protected areas.
Another major concern that was raised was the impact on marine fauna through entanglement in survey equipment or offshore water pollution.
The Pletmos Basin is located roughly between Knysna and Jeffrey’s Bay. The target area is located about 12km offshore and reaches up to 60km out to sea. The target area covers about 2 500km².
The conditions of the authorisation include that Sungu must ensure that "any impact on the environment is avoided, minimised and prevented", aimed at protecting the marine ecosystem, fisheries and tourism sectors.
Conditions to go ahead
These measures include that the proposed seismic survey be undertaken outside the key cetacean migration and breeding season.
To minimise the impact on small pelagic fisheries and squid spawning season, it is recommended that the survey be done from the beginning of February to the end of May.
The survey may also not be undertaken within marine protected areas (MPAs), national parks and nature reserves. Furthermore, a 10km buffer zone must be implemented around MPAs.
Another condition is that where a helicopter is used for crew exchange or suppliers, flight routes must be planned in such a way that seal and seabird colonies are avoided.
Co-chairman of the Plett Environment Forum, one of the objectors to the proposal, says numerous organisations and individuals had objected to the proposed survey last year.
"The Plett Environment Forum protested strenuously, pointing out that this is an ecologically sensitive and important area, and that studies from across the globe have shown serious negative effects on marine life where seismic surveys have been done," says Van Rooyen.
Difficult to monitor
They had also objected to the recommended time frames, he says, and are further concerned that these ships would conduct explosions 12km offshore where they are difficult to monitor and ensure that proper mitigation measures are in fact followed.
"However, the seismic survey has gone through the entire EIA process of public participation… and there is probably little the public can do at this stage, except a final appeal.
"But if the powers that be have not heeded objections up till now, this is probably just a formality, and these surveys are likely to go ahead."
Van Rooyen adds that this does not mean oil rigs would appear off the coast anytime soon - not before oil or gas is in fact found.
"However, we are still horrified that the authorities can even contemplate endangering the wonderful marine life off our coast in this way.
"We will do anything in our power to ensure that the company involved follows the mitigation measures meticulously."
Authorised activities may not commence within 20 days of the authorisation, pending potential lodgment of appeals.
Appeal deadline soon
The deadline for these submissions is 1 February.
A written appeal must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and copies of the appeal documentation must also be served on the Department of Mineral Resources, the Petroleum Agency SA, the applicant and known interested and affected parties.
An artist's impression of a typical seismic survey towed configuration.
An appeal submission must be submitted in writing in the form obtainable from the DEA and must be accompanied by a statement setting out the grounds of appeal; additional supporting documentation that is referred to and which did not form part of the documentation considered when the original decision was made; and a statement that the appellant has submitted the appeal within the 20-day period.
ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
