Shell targets offshore Northern Cape

Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V. (Shell) holds an Exploration Right over Block Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD). Shell is now applying to drill up to 5 exploration and/or appraisal wells within Block NCUD, which is not currently covered by the existing Exploration Right. Associated proposed activities include vertical seismic profiling (VSP), sonar bathymetry surveys, drop core sampling, well testing, and plugging and abandonment of wells.

Block NCUD is located off the West Coast of South Africa, roughly between Port Nolloth and Saldanha Bay. The Block is approximately 300 km offshore, in water depths between 2 500 m and 3 200 m. The Area of Interest for drilling is approximately 5 254 square kilometres in extent.

Prior to the commencement of the Proposed Project, an Environmental Authorisation in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014, (GN R 982 of 2014), promulgated under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. 107 of 1998) from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is required.

SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SLR), an independent firm of Environmental Assessment Practitioners, has been appointed by Shell to manage the environmental authorisation processes.
SLR has compiled a Draft Scoping Report, which will be available for public review and comment from 8 July – 8 August 2024. The Draft Scoping Report is the first document for comment during the ESIA process. Comments on the Draft Scoping Report should reach SLR by no later than 8 August 2024

SLR Project No.: 723.000073.00001
Copies of the full draft Scoping Report and Non-technical Summary will be available at the following locations listed in the pamphlet below:

• SLR website: https://www.slrconsulting.com/public-documents/shell-ncud/

• Data free website: https://slrpublicdocs.datafree.co/public-documents/shell-ncud/, which is accessible from an internet-capable mobile phone WITHOUT data charges.

To register as an Interested and Affected Party please contact:

Email: shell-NCUD@slrconsulting.com

Telephone: Tel: 021 461 1118/9 Whatsapp: 076 402 1409