Environmental concerns arise as Shell gains approval for oil drilling

SHOULD viable resources be found from drilling up to five exploration and/or appraisal wells within the Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD) block, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and the government’s economic development programmes, says oil giant Shell. 

However, environmental activists have decried the decision to grant the company an Environmental Authorisation to drill, saying the promise of development was nothing new while  environmental destruction, the hardships of communities and towns becoming ghost towns when mining activities end are lived experiences. 

The five exploration and/or appraisal wells within NCUD block are 300km offshore, in water depths of 2500m - 3200m. 

“As part of this process, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was completed following widespread community engagements. South Africa is currently reliant on energy imports for many of its energy needs.Should viable resources be found offshore, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and the government’s economic development programmes,” said Shell spokesperson Pam Ntaka. 

Citing the devastation caused by a recent oil spill on the West Coast, activists speaking on behalf of fishing communities, said this provided a glimpse of the devastation an oil spill can cause. 

“Forty kilometres of West Coast beaches were polluted, fishermen could not go out to fish for three months, and marine life and livelihoods were severely impacted. The government has no regard for the people, as many fisher communities, environmental activists and organisations have appealed and opposed the application.  The false promise of development we heard before, but the only thing we see is environmental destruction, the hardships of communities and towns becoming ghost towns when mining activities end,” said Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement's Wendy Pekeur. 

Environmental justice organisation, The Green Connection said oil spills were not limited to what floats on the surface. It can travel through the entire water column, contaminating ecosystems and affecting fish health and behaviour.

“One of our key concerns is the reliance on the Saldanha Bay oil spill response “stack,” which is designed for shallow water incidents and may not be appropriate or effective at ultra-deep levels. If something goes wrong at these depths, the consequences could be catastrophic and irreversible. Fish may migrate away or become unsafe to consume, leaving small-scale fishers without catch and income. In addition, the chemical impact of oil can kill off plankton – the foundation of the marine food chain – with widespread implications for ocean health,” said the organisation. 

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said their Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMRE) counterparts were the competent authority to grant the green light for Shell.  

DFFE spokesperson, Peter Mbelengwa, could not respond to further questions on concerns over the impact of oil spills and pollution on marine life and livelihoods, as well as community consultation.

“The matter is sub judice and therefore the Department cannot provide any comment at this stage”. 

The DMRE did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

Cape Times