Eni South Africa BV (Eni), and Sasol Africa Limited (Sasol) hold an exploration right off the East Coast of South Africa. Eni and Sasol are considering the possibility of conducting an exploration drilling programme in Block ER 236 (12/3/236) to assess the commercial viability of the hydrocarbon reservoir for future development.

The Project requires Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the National Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), through the Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA). The authorisation would be under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998).

To obtain an EA, Eni must undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014. The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is the competent authority and has powers to authorise the development or refuse it. Applications must be submitted to PASA. PASA is responsible for evaluating applications, entering into negotiations with applicants and making recommendations to the Minister of Mineral Resources on their acceptability.

This website serves to disseminate Project information as it becomes available. If you have any questions, or wish to register as an interested and affected party, please contact ERM.

Exploration Right 12/3/236 Compliance Audit

ENI Compliance Letter

Notification to Stakeholders

EIA Update September 2018

An EIA process was commenced in January 2018 with the release of a Draft Scoping Report. The Final Scoping Report was approved by PASA on 16 April 2018. ERM experienced unforeseen delays in the finalising of specialist studies which resulted in subsequent delays in the drafting of the EIA Report. Consequently, ERM was not able to finalise and release the draft report for comment and comply with the stipulated 106 day timeframe in which to submit the final EIA Report by the 03 August 2018, as prescribed in Section 23(1)(a) of the NEMA EIA Regulations. As such, the EIA Application lapsed on the 03 August 2018. A new EIA process has commenced, which was approved by PASA on 29 August 2018, successive to the approval of the Scoping Report on 16 April 2018.

Environmental Authorisation Granted 2019

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) granted Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the proposed Exploration Drilling within Offshore Block ER236, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa in terms of the National Environmental Management Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended (NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014, as amended. The EA was granted to the applicants, Eni South Africa B.V. (Eni) and Sasol Africa (Pty) Ltd (Sasol), on 26 August 2019 and was sent to the operator, Eni, on 29 August 2019.

The granting of the EA is subject to a number of conditions, which, along with the reasons for the decision, are set out in the EA (Annexure A and B respectively), attached as Appendix 1 of the notification letter. The Authorised activities shall not commence within twenty (20) days from the date of notification of the decision.

The notification of Environvironmental Authorisation (in English) is attached below. Notifications and Reasons for the Decision have also been provided in isiZulu and isiXhosa, below.

Supplementary Comments and Responses Report February 2019

Download the Final EIA Report Here

IsiZulu Comments and Responses

Release of Draft EIA Report

The comment period for the Draft EIA Report closed on 8 November 2018. Thank you to those who have submitted comment. These comments, together with a response will be included in the final EIA.

Following stakeholder requests made at the Open House meetings in Richard’s Bay and Durban, the draft EIA report has been translated into isiZulu, and can be downloaded here:

The Report is available below, on request from ERM, and at the following public locations:

  • Durban Central Lending Public Library
  • Austerville Library
  • Richards Bay Library
  • Port Shepstone Library
  • East London Central Library
  • Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality – Linton Grange Library
  • ERM offices, Suite S005, 17 The Boulevard, Westway Office Park, Westville

Open House Meetings

Open house meetings were held as per the schedule below.  A copy of the posters that were on display at the meetings can be viewed here:

Day and Date

Location

Venue

Time

Wednesday 3 October 2018

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth Open House

isiXhosa translator to be present

Boardwalk Hotel, Beach Rd, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, 6019

15:00 – 18:00

Thursday 4 October 2018

East London

East London Open House

isiXhosa translator to be present

Blue Lagoon hotel & Conference Centre, 21 Blue Bend Pl, Blue   Bend, East London

15:00 – 18:00

Monday 8 October 2018

Richards Bay

Richards Bay Open House

isiZulu translator to be present

Premier Hotel The Richards, 3 Hibberd Dr, Meer En See, Richards Bay

15:00 – 18:00

Tuesday 9 October 2018

Durban

Durban Open House

isiZulu translator to be present

Gooderson Tropicana Hotel, 85 OR Tambo Parade, South Beach, Durban

15:00 – 18:00

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Port Shepstone

Port Shepstone Open House

isiZulu translator to be present

Venture Inn,

366 Commercial Rd, Umtentweni, Port Shepstone

15:00 – 18:00

Download the Draft EIA Report Here:

Final Scoping Report

The Final Scoping Report for the proposed Exploration Drilling within Block ER236, off the East Coast of South Africa was submitted to the Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA) for consideration on 08 March 2018 and approved on 16 April 2018. 

Download the Final Scoping Report below:

Background Information Document: