Rhino’s drilling report accepted by Government

The intention to drill for oil and gas in the area took a step forward when the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) accepted the scoping report lodged by SLR Consulting on behalf of Rhino Oil and Gas.
“This acceptance does not constitute an approval of the exploration right application in terms of section 79 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002),” said consultant, Matthew Hemming of SLR Consulting.
“Registered interested and affected parties will be advised in due course of further opportunities for engagement with the project team, as well as the availability of the EIA Report, for review.”
Rhino Oil and Gas visited the area earlier this year to host a series of public meetings to gauge public response to their intention to drill.
The majority of those who attended the meetings – especially from the agricultural sector – were negative towards the plan despite assurances by Rhino Oil and Gas that ‘everything possible will be done to ensure that there is no environmental damage’.
The exploration rights allow for Rhino Oil and Gas to undertake a three-year early-phase exploration programme for oil and gas resources, and only includes work aimed at determining the presence of these resources.
Anything further will require a new application and is not covered by the current one.
According to Phillip Steyn, vice president and chief operating officer of Rhino Resources, the exploration process will only commence upon the granting of the exploration right by the regulator, which would only happen once an environmental authorisation was granted.
Mr Steyn said the evaluation process to determine if there are oil and gas resources available would take three years.