The Green Connection submitted comments into Tosaco application off the west coast – TEPSA and CGG off the south coast and will be submitting comments on the Searcher and TGS seismic survey in the near future.

In the opposition to object to exploration of oil and gas, The Green Connection is supporting SDCEA in court action to oppose the ENI/SASOL exploration

The Green Connection opposes seismic surveys due to their impact on the ocean environment and on the lives of all those who depend on the marine life of the sea for their livelihoods. The Green Connection has submitted a letter to Shell Exploration and Production of South Africa regarding notification of the commencement of 3D Seismic Survey Transkei Exploration Area.  On 4 May 2021, the Petroleum Agency SA (PASA) accepted a Reconnaissance Permit Application submitted by CGG Services SAS (CGG) in terms of Section 74 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No. 28 of 2002; MPRDA). The application provides for the undertaking of a multi-client speculative three dimensional (3D) seismic survey in the Algoa, Gamtoos and Outeniqua Basins off the Southeast Coast of South Africa (see Figure 1).

The proposed survey area would be between 1 000 and 3 500 km2 in extent within a 15 428 km2 identified area of interest. The area of interest is located roughly between Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) and a point approximately 120 km southeast of Plettenberg Bay, ranging between 30 km and 120 km from the coast in water depths between 150 m and 4 000 m.

Searcher Geodata UK Ltd (Searcher) has applied again for environmental authorisation to undertake a 3D seismic survey off the West Coast of South Africa. 

Searcher in a previous attempt was interdicted from continuing. The court ruled against Searcher on the 1st of March as they failed to consult small-scale fishers, indigenous communities and other affected groups and failed to construct an environmental impact assessment.  Sustaining The Wild Coast Judgement. 

TGS Geophysical Company (UK) Limited (TGS) has applied for environmental authorisation to undertake a 3D seismic survey off the West Coast of South Africa.

TGS will be undertaking a Basic EIA, and issued a notification through its EIA consultant EIMS of public meetings scheduled for between 29 August 2022 and 3 September 2022 (Hout Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha, Lamberts Bay, Hondeklip Bay and Port Nolloth). According to the Background Information Document (BID), the Basic EIA will include several specialist studies (marine ecology, heritage, social, acoustic and fisheries impact assessments), as well as an environmental management programme (EMPr) setting out proposed impact mitigation measures.

It is anticipated that the Basic EIA Report will be made available for public comment, and that further public meetings will be held as part of the public participation process.

(28 August) The Green Connection welcomes the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Shell and Impact Africa’s appeal regarding their exploration rights off the Wild Coast. According to The Green Connection’s Liz/Neville, “This decision is a significant victory for the communities on the Wild Coast and for all South Africans who value environmental and climate justice. However, the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) suspension of the High Court’s order remains deeply troubling. Not only does it allow the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to consider renewing an invalid right, thereby undermining the communities’ hard-won protections, but it also sets a dangerous precedent.”