JANUARY 2020

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Africa Oil South Africa Corp (AOSAC)
REVISED EIA on the West Coast of
South Africa BLOCK 3B/4B
REVISED EIA REPORT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT
Developed in May 2024
IN LIGHT OF THE COMMENTS RECEIVED ON THE EIA REPORT,
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MANAGEMENT SERVICES (EIMS) HAVE
NOW COMPILED A REVISED EIA REPORT WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR
PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT UNTIL 10 MAY 2024.

AREA OF INTEREST

BLOCK 3B/4B IS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 17 581 KM2 AND IS

SITUATED OFF THE WEST COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA. THE BLOCK IS
LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 120KM WEST OF ST HELENA BAY AND
APPROXIMATELY 145KM SOUTH-WEST OF HONDEKLIP BAY. DRILLING IS
PROPOSED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NORTH AND CENTRAL AREA OF THE
BLOCK (SEEN IN YELLOW ABOVE).
 JANUARY 2020

AFRICA OIL SA CORP, RICOCURE (PTY) LTD AND AZINAM LIMITED

(JOINT VENTURE (JV) PARTNERS) HOLD AN EXPLORATION RIGHT
(ER) FOR BLOCK 3B/4B.* TOTALENERGIES PLAN TO BECOME THE
OPERATOR WHEN OPERATIONS START. TO EXERCISE THE ER, THE
JV PARTNERS FIRST NEEDED TO CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA). THE JV PARTNERS APPOINTED
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MANAGEMENT SERVICES (EIMS) TO
COMPILE THE EIA REPORT. THE EIA REPORT COMPILED BY EIMS
WAS FIRST MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT
FROM 8 JANUARY 2024 TO 8 FEBRUARY 2024. IN LIGHT OF THE
COMMENTS RECEIVED ON THE EIA REPORT, EIMS HAVE NOW
COMPILED A REVISED EIA REPORT WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR
PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT UNTIL 10 MAY 2024.

*TotalEnergies has announced that it, together with its partner QatarEnergy,
have signed an agreement to participating interests in Block 3B/4B, where
TotalEnergies will hold a 33% participating interest in Block 3B/4B and assume
operatorship, while QatarEnergy will hold a 24% interest.

See: https://totalenergies.com/media/news/press-releases/south-africa-
totalenergies-expands-its-presence-orange-basin-new-offshore

Hondeklip Bay

St Helena Bay

Cape Town

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION

FOUND IN THE INITIAL EIA REPORT, YOU CAN ACCESS OUR PAMPHLET HERE.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

What is new in the Revised EIA Report?

THE CHANGES TO THE EIA REPORT AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION RELATE
TO THE FOLLOWING MAIN ADDITIONS:

UPDATED AND AMENDED OIL SPILL DRIFT MODELLING REPORT, WHICH NOW
MODELS BOTH A CONDENSATE BLOW OUT SCENARIO AS WELL AS A CRUDE
OIL BLOW OUT SCENARIO AS A WORST CASE.

UPDATED AND AMENDED DRILLING DISCHARGE MODELLING REPORT, WHICH

NOW CONSIDERS THE OPTION OF UTILISING NON-AQUEOUS DRILLING
FLUIDS (NADF’S) AS WELL AS WATER BASED MUDS (WBM’S).

WHERE RELEVANT, UPDATED SPECIALIST STUDIES TO CONSIDER THE

OUTCOMES OF THE UPDATED MODELLING REPORTS REFERRED TO ABOVE.

VARIOUS AMENDMENTS AND UPDATES TO THE EIA REPORT AND

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (EMPR) TO INCORPORATE
THE AMENDED SPECIALIST STUDIES AND MODELLING REPORT.

What information is set out in this pamphlet?

THIS PAMPHLET WILL FOCUS ONLY ON THE IMPACTS OF A
CONDENSATE BLOW OUT SCENARIO AND A CRUDE OIL BLOW OUT
SCENARIO.

Examples of drilling equipment.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE PROXIMITY OF BLOCK 3B/4B TO CRITICAL

BIODIVERSITY AREAS, ECOLOGICAL SUPPORT AREAS AND MARINE
PROTECTED AREAS.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

THE TIMELINE OF EVENTS

EXPLORATION This is obtained from the DMRE, once an
RIGHT (ER) Environmental Authorisation (EA) has been
granted. For this Block, a previous EA was obtained
for data reprocessing when the ER was granted.

ENVIRONMENTAL This assessment aims to predict the

IMPACT environmental and social impacts of the project.
This is placed in a report and based on this, the
ASSESSMENT (EIA): DMRE may grant or refuse Environmental
Authorisation.

A DRAFT EIA report was made available for public

review and comment.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Registered Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs)

submitted comments on the draft EIA
The REVISED EIA report, which has taken into
consideration the comments on the draft EIA, is
now available on EIMS’ website HERE
All I&APs are provided with an opportunity to
comment on the REVISED EIA.

We are here
FINAL EIA REPORT This incorporates all comments received on the
draft and revised EIA Report. This is submitted to
PUBLISHED: the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) for
consideration and review.

PASA After its review, PASA will provide a

RECOMMENDATION: recommendation to the DMRE on whether to
grant or refuse Environmental Authorisation.

ENVIRONMENTAL This is granted by an official from the DMRE and, if

given, will allow the JV Partners to go ahead with
AUTHORISATION: their exploration.

WHAT NEXT?

After the Department issues its decision, all I&APs registered on the project database
will be notified of the outcome of the application and the reasons for the decision
within 14 days of the date of the decision.

If anyone disagrees with the decision made by the Department, an appeal against the
decision may be submitted to the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment
(DFFE) within 20 days from the date the decision is communicated to I&APs.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

POTENTIAL CONCERNING IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT

**These impacts have been highlighted in specialist reports with regard to a worst-case
scenario (i.e. oil spill). This is a summary and therefore not all of the impacts have been
included. Refer to the previous pamphlet HERE for information on some of the other impacts.

IMPACTS ON FISH AND MARINE SPECIES

There are several possible direct and secondary impacts of oil spills on fish and other
marine species. Oil spilled in the marine environment would have an immediate
detrimental effect on water quality, with the toxic effects from the oil potentially
resulting in the death of marine species. Oil contamination of fish species could result
in the displacement of species from normal feeding and protective areas as well as
possible physical contamination such as clogging of gills which would lead to the death
of fish species.

Condensate spill
Condensate is a released product (liquid hydrocarbon) that rises to the surface
and is sometimes called ‘light oil’. Based on the possible extent of surface oiling,
the impact could affect large pelagic species (e.g. tuna and sword fish) and
demersal species (e.g. kingklip and hake). The likelihood of the impact
materialising differs according to the extent of the contamination in relation to
the location of fishing grounds. The likelihood of contamination is 100% for large
pelagic longline species, 50% for tuna pole-line species, 30% for demersal trawl
species and 20% for demersal longline species.

Crude spill
An assessment was done on four scenarios of an oil-spill probability (3.3%, 10%, 50%
and 90% possibility of an oil spill occurring). The 90% probability outline overlaps with
fishing grounds of the large pelagic longline species (e.g. tuna and sword fish). The 50%
probability outline overlaps with fishing grounds of demersal species (e.g. kingklip and
hake), and large pelagic longline and tuna pole-line species. The 10% probability outline
overlaps with demersal fishing grounds, small pelagic purse-seine (e.g. herring,
sardines, mackerel, anchovies), large pelagic longline, tuna pole-line, linefish and west
coast rock lobster grounds. The 3% probability contour extends across demersal fishing
grounds, small pelagic purse-seine, large pelagic longline, tuna pole-line, linefish and
inshore and offshore west coast rock lobster grounds.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

IMPACTS ON LIVELIHOODS
Impacts on fisheries livelihoods from oil spills would include the periodic closure of
fishing grounds for clean-up and rejuvenation, long-term displacement from fishing areas
to minimize pollution effects, lost jobs and unemployment, and losses to seafood markets
and revenues. Following an oil spill, fishing vessels may avoid areas affected by
contamination to prevent the capture of contaminated fish and ensure product safety.
This avoidance behaviour can disrupt fishing operations, as vessels may need to relocate
to alternative fishing grounds, resulting in increased fuel costs and reduced catch
efficiency. Avoidance of contaminated areas may also lead to competition among fishing
vessels for access to unaffected fishing grounds, exacerbating resource conflicts and
management challenges. In cases where fish are exposed to oil spills and subsequently
captured by fishing operations, there is a risk of product rejection due to contamination.
Fish contaminated with oil residues may fail to meet quality standards set by regulatory
agencies and seafood markets, resulting in the rejection of entire catch batches. This
rejection not only leads to financial losses for fishing operations but also undermines
consumer confidence in seafood products sourced from affected regions. Studies have
shown that seafood market demand can decline significantly in the aftermath of oil spills,
particularly in regions directly impacted by contamination. Loss of market access can have
long-term economic consequences for fishing communities reliant on seafood trade.
IMPACTS ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Any impact on the integrity of the coastal and marine ecosystem through
an accidental oil spill could have an immediate detrimental effect on the
marine environment and thus in turn could impact various aspects which
make up people's tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Spirituality
Ritual practice and spiritual engagement with the sea requires a healthy
ocean. Although the specialist reports note that only minor oil spills are likely
to take place, and is unlikely to reach the shore, for communities who have a
symbolic and spiritual relationship with the ocean and coast, the perceived
impacts would be considered high.

Sense of place
Valuable heritage towns and locations depend on the sense of place to attract
visitors, researchers and investors. If the place is negatively impacted by an oil
spill, people may not come to visit these towns and locations, thereby,
destroying the sense of place.

Natural Heritage
Natural heritage and cultural heritage are interdependent, and any impact on
the ocean, as natural heritage, will have a negative impact on cultural heritage.
Communities that rely on a wide range of life cycle and healing rituals that
involve the use of nature (i.e. fynbos and medicines from the sea) for cultural
practices, will be most impacted.
Health
People use the sea in cultural ways to improve, sustain and restore physical
and mental health. Access to a healthy ocean is critical as any impact on the
ocean, such as oil spills, may affect the health of coastal communities who
drink ocean water for cultural purposes.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

GET INVOLVED
Why should I get involved?

The proposed project may impact communities residing close to the project
area and communities relying on the ocean. It is, therefore, important to share
your views of the proposed project. However, even if you do not live close to
the area of interest, you can get involved.

How to get involved

Gather as much information about the project. All project documents can be
accessed online HERE or physically at the following locations:

To comment on the report, members of the public must register as I&APs

and can do so via email: [email protected] or telephonically:
011 789 7170. If you have already registered as an I&AP for this project,
you do not need to do so again.

Any comments which members of the public make, must be submitted by 10

May 2024. Comments or queries can be submitted via post: P.O. Box 2083,
Pinegowrie, 2123; fax: 086 571 9047; phone call: 011 789 7170;
WhatsApp: 076 281 3326 or email: [email protected]

Please include the project reference number ‘1570’ in all correspondence.

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE

THINKING ABOUT?
Exploration and production projects have direct and indirect effects on communities, and
it is important to think about what these effects could be. The questions below will help
you identify and think about the influence of the project on your community.
How will this project impact my livelihood?

Will I be able to access the beach and ocean as I have before?

Will the project activity affect how fish and bird species move in
the area and will this impact our livelihoods?

Do I normally fish in the project area or travel through the

project area to access my usual fishing grounds?

What effect would an oil/gas spill have on our community?

Will the project provide our community with employment, what

kinds of skills are required to be employed and will it be long-
term employment?

Once the project is complete, what benefits will the community

enjoy?

If you work in the aquaculture sector, will the project impact the
businesses and jobs in this sector?

If you are from the tourism sector, will the project have a
positive or negative impact on tourism?

How will this project impact my cultural and spiritual practices?

Developed in May 2024

 JANUARY 2020

HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR

COMMENT
There are no templates or requirements of how you need to structure your comment.
Below is an example of how you can structure your comment.

1. List your main concerns with the project and speak about whether these concerns
were addressed or dealt with at the public consultations.

2. State how you believe this Project will affect your livelihood and the livelihood of
your community?

3. State how you believe the Project will impact your access to and use of the ocean,
and how it will impact the movement of animal species (birds, fish, etc.).

4. State whether you think the Project will benefit you or your community, and what
those benefits will be.

5. State whether the positive and negative impacts of the Project were discussed
with you prior to or at the public consultations.

6.State how you believe the Project will impact your cultural and spiritual heritage if
it goes ahead.

7. State whether the public consultations were done in a language you understand
and whether it helped you understand what the project was about.

8. Any other comments

Name: _______________________________________
Community/Area: _________________________
Address: _____________________________________
Tel No: ______________________________________
Email: _______________________________________

Signature Date
____________________ ___________________
Developed in May 2024