Following TotalEnergies’ exit from its gas condensate discoveries along the Southern Cape coast last year, Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Canada’s Africa Energy Corp, is applying for environmental authorisation to undertake various survey activities.

George Herald reports the surveys will focus on Block 9 and Block 11B/12B, approximately 80–190km offshore, in water depths between 100m and 2 200m.

The recent Luiperd and Brulpadda discoveries are in the southwest corner of Block 11B/12B.

Africa Energy Corp has indicated that despite challenges and delays, it remains confident that the Block 11B/12B resources can be commercially developed.

The Luiperd and Brulpadda discoveries are the largest natural gas finds in South Africa to date. Africa Energy Corp, which became the official operator of Block 11B/12B late last year, believes that if developed, they could ‘supply a significant portion of the country’s energy needs as it seeks to transition away from coal-fired power plants’.

A notice inviting public participation in the environmental and social impact assessment (Esia) for the proposed survey has been issued. According to the notice, Main Street initially proposes a ‘downscaled and largely non-intrusive’ survey along potential production sites and pipeline routes from the deep-water field areas in Block 11B/12B onto the shelf and into the adjacent Block 9, held by PetroSA. The findings will provide essential data to inform the design and layout of subsea production facilities and associated infrastructure.

The proposed project triggers two listed activities:

• Removal or movement of more than 5m³ of seabed soil for sampling
• Furtherance of the proposed development and future production in Block 11B/12B

Interested and affected parties can access a draft scoping report and a non-technical summary at:

• The LR website, or
• A data-free website

A copy of the report and summary is also available at the following locations:

The non-technical summary is available in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa as a document or audio file.

There is a 30-day review and comment period from March 3 to April 3.

Public open days will be held at various venues, featuring an informal poster session where interested parties can attend at any time during the indicated hours and engage with the Esia team. No formal meetings will be held.

SLR Consulting is the appointed independent environmental assessment practitioner.

SLR Consulting is the appointed independent environmental assessment practitioner.

Comment should reach SLR no later than April 3 using the following contact details:

• Tel: (021) 461 1118/9
• SMS/WhatsApp: 071 586 5881
• Email: 11b12bsurveys@slrconsulting.com

All comments received will be incorporated into a comments and responses report, which will be appended to the final scoping report. The final report will be available on the SLR website for information purposes.

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