Meeting to clarify oil, gas exploration
EXXON Mobil Exploration and Production South Africa Limited (EMEPSAL) has applied for the right to explore for oil and gas reserves off the east coast of South Africa in the Deep water Durban Exploration Area and the South Durban Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) encourages community members to speak up on the subject.
The proposed exploration area extends from Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape to Durban and covers an area around 50,000 km², with water depths ranging from 2,200 to 3,600 metres. It is about 50km offshore at the closet point and extends to a maximum distance of about 500km.
EMEPSAL’s application was accepted on 22 November 2013 by the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) and the Environmental Management Programme (EMP) listing the proposed activities will be submitted to PASA for approval by 18 March.
Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa (ERM) will assist EMEPSAL with the EMP, which includes public participation and comment from stakeholders. In this light, ERM hosts a group engagement meeting on Tuesday, 18 February from 4pm to 6pm at the Austerville Community Hall in Wentworth.
SDCEA claims the proposed oil and gas exploration will affect marine life and other sea activities and encourages people to attend. “We encourage everyone to participate in the meeting so they can be aware of the possible impacts this proposed activity will have on the environment, such as the water quality, marine life and other sea activities. This meeting will be in an open house format, which will give stakeholders and community members an opportunity to provide input to the proposed activity,” said SDCEA projects officer, Noluthando Mbeje.
Interested parties should RSVP to Tougheeda Aspeling at tougheeda.aspeling@erm.com or phone 021-681-5400. For information call SDCEA on 031-461-1991.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
