Proposed Drilling and Survey Activities in Block Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD) off the West Coast gets Environmental Authorisation – Please lodge an Appeal

Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V (Shell) have been given granted and issued an Environmental Authorisation (30 June 2025) to undertake geophysical surveys and exploration well drilling off the West Coast – Block Northeren Cape Ultra Deep – by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in terms of the National Environment Management Act, 1998 (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2014.  

Please find attached formal correspondence in this regard, which includes details regarding the appeal process and a copy of the Environmental Authorisation. We are asking for as many appeals to be lodged as possible within twenty (20) days of notification of the decision sent to interested and affected parties (i.e., by 29 July 2025).

Please find ONO’s previous comments on NCUD here.

The prescribed appeal form [ see the template above you can download – use the LH column] and assistance regarding the appeal process is obtainable from the Appeal Administrator. Appeals must be submitted to the Appeals Administrator by means of one of the following methods:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Appeals and Legal Review Directorate
Attention: Director: Appeals and Legal Review
Email: appeals@dffe.gov.za
By post: Private Bag X 447, Pretoria, 0001
By hand: Environmental House, Corner Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083

Please also submit a copy of the appeal and any supporting documents to the applicant:

Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V. (Shell)
Attention: Appeals Coordinator
E-mail: SNU-NCUD@shell.com
By hand: Care of SLR Consulting:
Cape Town, 7700
5th Floor, 9 Grove