Activists discuss off-shore exploration
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) in September granted Sasol Africa (Pty) Ltd and Eni South Africa BV authorisation to explore for hydrocarbons on the Durban and Zululand basins within off-shore block ER236
FISHERMEN and environmental activists discussed the potential impacts of the planned oil and gas exploration 62km off the coast of Richards Bay at a public meeting in Meerensee last week.
Organised by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), the purpose of the meeting was to inform the public about various environmental concerns, including off-shore drilling and the role of communities in the ‘fight against environmental injustices’.
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) in September granted Sasol Africa (Pty) Ltd and Eni South Africa BV authorisation to explore for hydrocarbons on the Durban and Zululand basins within off-shore block ER236.
Sasol said the Durban and Zululand basins are of interest because they are located at the southern end of the Mozambique channel.
Expected drilling depth will be between 3 800 metres and 4 100 metres from the sea surface, through the seabed to the target depth in the northern area, and around 5 100 metres in the southern area.
In a presentation at the public meeting last week, SDCEA Project Manager, Sherelee Odayar, said not only will the drilling pose a threat to marine life, it will affect the livelihoods of thousands of people.
‘When oil spills occur they can bring catastrophic harm to marine life and devastating losses for local businesses. Even routine exploration and drilling activities bring harm to many marine species.
‘Expanded off-shore drilling poses the risk of oil spills ruining our beaches and bringing harm to those who live, work and holiday along the coast, as well as harming habitats critical to plants and animal species,’ Odayar said.
Sasol argued that it had a solid track record in conducting exploration of this nature.
‘Off-shore of Mozambique, Sasol has conducted three separate seismic surveys and drilled three wells with no negative impacts on marine mammals,’ Sasol said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
