TotalEnergies willing to engage ‘affected parties’

TOTALENERGIES said it’s committed to extensive engagement with affected parties as it launches an environmental application process for drilling activities off South Africa’s south-western coast.

TotalEnergies Exploration & Production South Africa (TEEPSA) and its Joint Venture partners hold an Exploration Right over Block 5/6/7, within which two-dimensional and three-dimensional seismic surveys have been undertaken.

They said based on an analysis of acquired seismic data, TEEPSA proposed to drill one exploration well, and, depending on its success, up to four additional wells within an Area of Interest. The Area of Interest is 10 000km2 in extent and is located offshore between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, about 60km from the coast at its closest point and 170km at its furthest, in water depths of between 700m and 3200m.

They have invited consultation from all interested parties. “Parties are committed to ensuring all exploration or development activities are subject to the satisfactory completion of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and the granting of all required Environmental Authorisations (EAs). Any exploration or development activities will be subject to the satisfactory completion of an ESIA and the granting of necessary EAs,” said TotalEnergies.

“If the exploration activities result in the discovery of commercially viable hydrocarbon deposits, these fields have the potential to make significant contributions to South Africa‘s energy security, help generate employment opportunities and support development by enabling participation by local businesses.”

Civic bodies remain steadfast in their opposition to oil and gas exploration in the oceans because of its impact on the environment and fishing communities.

Masifundise programme manager Carmen Mannarino said they opposed the drill. “For one, it is the direct impact this will have on fisheries resources for small-scale fishers… The recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is telling us we have to switch to renewables,” she said.

Green Connection researcher Jan Arkert said they also objected to Total’s plans. “Africa has now become the primary focus of the big fossil fuel industry. The Green Connection is totally opposed to this.”

The public can register as interested stakeholders via a database that will be published by TEEPSA consultants, SLR. Stakeholders can contact SLR via SMS or WhatsApp on 063 900 5536 or email them on TEEPSA-567@slrconsulting.com to obtain a registration form.