{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"climate_tags":["oil and gas exploration"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'oil and gas exploration' for facet 'climate_tags' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":6,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?climate_tags=oil+and+gas+exploration","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"natjust-000084","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000084","title":"Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD) South Africa Environmental Authorisation","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2025-07-28","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/publication/northern-cape-ultra-deep-ncud-south-africa-environmental-authorisation/","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has granted Environmental Authorisation for the Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD) project, allowing Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V. and its partners to begin drilling activities in 2026 or 2027.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000084#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMR) has granted Environmental Authorisation for the Northern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD) project, permitting Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V. and its Joint Venture partners to commence drilling activities in 2026 or 2027.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000084#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) anticipates the drilling of two exploration wells during the first year and three wells during the second year.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000084#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project area covers approximately 5,254km in waters between 2,500m and 3,200m deep, extending from roughly 300km offshore of Port Nolloth south along the western coastline toward Strandfontein.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000084#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","oil and gas exploration"],"geography_discussed":["Port Nolloth","Strandfontein"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy summary"]},{"id":"natjust-000067","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000067","title":"Block 5 6 7 off Western Cape coast between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2025-05-02","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/publication/factsheet-block-5-6-7-off-western-cape-coast-between-cape-town-and-cape-agulhas/","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A factsheet detailing a judicial review application filed by The Green Connection and Natural Justice to challenge the environmental authorisation granted to Total Energies EP South Africa (TEEPSA) Block 567 (Pty) Ltd for oil and gas exploration drilling off the Western Cape coast.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000067#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In March 2024, The Green Connection and Natural Justice applied for a judicial review in the Western Cape High Court to contest the environmental authorisation given to Total Energies EP South Africa (TEEPSA) Block 567 (Pty) Ltd (Total) for oil and gas exploration drilling between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000067#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The environmental authorisation being challenged was issued by the Director-General: Mineral Resources and Energy in April 2023 and subsequently upheld by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, who dismissed 18 appeals regarding the decision.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000067#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["oil and gas exploration","environmental authorisation","judicial review","western cape"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Legal challenge summary"]},{"id":"natjust-000038","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000038","title":"Oil and gas exploration on South Africa’s Southern Coast","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2025-03-24","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/publication/main-street-1549-pty-ltd-proposed-survey-activities-in-blocks-9-and-11b-12b-south-coast-south-africa/","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A fact sheet by Natural Justice detailing proposed oil and gas survey activities by Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd in Licence Blocks 9 and 11B/12B off the southern coast of South Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000038#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd, a private South African entity, is proposing 'downscaled and non-invasive' survey activities in Licence Blocks 9 and 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin off South Africa's southern coast. Main Street holds Exploration Right 12/3/067 for Block 11B/12B, while Block 9 is held by PetroSA under Exploration Right 12/4/061.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000038#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Natural gas pockets were previously discovered at the Brulpadda and Luiperd wells in Block 11B/12B. While TotalEnergies EP South Africa (TEEPSA), Qatar Energy, and Canadian Natural Resources International (South Africa) Limited were original joint venture partners who initiated the Production Right and Environmental Authorisation processes, they have since withdrawn from the project entirely, leaving Main Street to lead.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000038#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The public is invited to submit comments on the Draft Scoping Report regarding the proposed activities by Thursday 3 April 2025.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000038#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["oil and gas exploration","energy transition","environmental impact"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Fact sheet"]},{"id":"natjust-000092","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000092","title":"TotalEnergies on the West Coast of South Africa: Deep Water Orange Basin","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"guide","language":"en","date_published":"2023-11-15","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/publication/pamphlet-totalenergies-on-the-west-coast-of-south-africa-deep-water-orange-basin/","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This community pamphlet from June 2023 describes the oil and gas exploration plans of TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V. (TEEPSA) and its partners in the Deep Water Orange Basin off the West Coast of South Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000092#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V. (TEEPSA), along with QatarEnergy and Sezigyn (Pty) Ltd, holds exploration rights for oil and gas in the Deep Water Orange Basin off the West Coast of South Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000092#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project involves drilling one initial exploration well, with the potential for up to nine additional wells if oil or gas is discovered.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000092#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The exploration area, known as the Deep Water Orange Basin, is located offshore between Port Nolloth and Hondeklip Bay, with water depths ranging from 750m to 3000m and distances from the coast between 188 km and 340 km.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000092#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["oil and gas exploration","energy transition"],"geography_discussed":["Port Nolloth","Hondeklip Bay"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["project description"]},{"id":"natjust-000202","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000202","title":"factsheet_saving-the-wild-coast-summary-cc1b4747392d8337.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Factsheet_Saving-the-Wild-Coast-Summary.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This factsheet details legal challenges brought against Shell Exploration and Production SA and the South African government to stop seismic surveys off the Wild Coast. It outlines two primary court cases: one unsuccessful urgent interdict by environmental and angling groups, and a successful interdict by local communities. The document summarizes the applicants' arguments regarding the lack of environmental authorization, inadequate consultation, and the failure to consider climate change and cultural rights, while explaining the potential legal precedents a victory would establish for future seismic testing in South Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Shell Exploration and Production SA planned seismic surveys covering approximately 6,011 square kilometres between Port St Johns and Morgan Bay, starting 1 December 2021, to evaluate oil and gas prospects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The exploration right was originally granted to Impact Africa in May 2014 by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, but the company did not conduct an environmental impact assessment or obtain environmental authorisation under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"In the first court case (Border Deep Sea Angling Association and others), the Grahamstown High Court dismissed an urgent interdict on 3 December 2021. While the judge found prima facie prospects of success due to \"apparent inadequate public participation processes\", the application failed because the judge did not find a reasonable apprehension of \"irreparable harm\" and decided the \"balance of convenience\" favoured Shell.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"In the second court case (Sustaining the Wild Coast NPC and others), the Grahamstown High Court granted an interdict on 28 December 2021, ordering Shell to stop seismic surveys. Judge Gerald Bloem ruled there was a reasonable apprehension of irreparable harm to the applicants' constitutional rights, specifically their \"spiritual, heritage and cultural rights\".","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Applicants argue that the Minister of Mineral Resources failed to consider several critical factors, including the cumulative impact of exploration activities, the climate change impacts of oil and gas exploitation, and the spiritual and cultural rights of coastal communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The applicants allege a reasonable apprehension of bias regarding the Minister, citing his public comments promoting oil and gas exploration and a R15 million donation to the African National Congress from the Batho Batho Trust, a stakeholder in Shell's broad-based black economic empowerment partner, between October and December 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"A successful outcome would seek to set aside the original 2014 grant and subsequent renewals of the exploration right, and establish a legal precedent that an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) under the MPRDA is not equivalent to an environmental authorisation under NEMA.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000202#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","oil and gas exploration","seismic surveys","environmental impact assessment","climate change impacts"],"geography_discussed":["Port St Johns","Morgan Bay","Gqeberha"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["legal summary","case study"]},{"id":"natjust-000326","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000326","title":"SEARCHER_English _Pamphlet_July2024","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"guide","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SEARCHER_English-_Pamphlet_July2024.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This guide, published by Natural Justice in July 2024, provides information and guidance for the public regarding a proposed 3D seismic survey by Searcher Geodata UK Ltd off the coast of South Africa. It outlines the project's scope, the regulatory process for environmental authorisation, and the potential negative impacts on marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and cultural heritage.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000326#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Searcher Geodata UK Ltd proposes a 3D seismic survey covering approximately 30,000 km2, located between 220 km offshore of Hondeklip Bay and 256 km offshore of St Helena Bay, at depths ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 metres. The project area overlaps with areas designated as Critical Biodiversity Area 1 (CBA 1) and Natural and Critical Biodiversity Area 2 (CBA 2).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000326#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project has a history of legal challenges; in 2022, the High Court of South Africa stopped Searcher's seismic surveys because the company failed to consult with indigenous communities, small-scale fishers, NGOs, and other interested parties. While a subsequent permit (12/1/043) allowed operations to begin in January 2024, that permit expires on 10 November 2024, leading Searcher to apply for a new permit (12/1/048) with plans to start surveys in early 2025 pending environmental authorisation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000326#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Seismic surveys may cause significant harm to marine life, including physiological injury, death, and reduced reproductive success. The Basic Assessment Report predicts auditory impacts on marine mammals up to 4.6 km from the sound source. Affected species include dolphins, various whales (humpback, Antarctic mink, fin, sei, sperm, and killer), the critically endangered leatherback turtle, the critically endangered African Penguin, the Cape fur seal, and pelagic species like blue marlins and tunas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000326#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The proposed activity poses risks to local livelihoods and cultural heritage. A required exclusion area of 165 km2 around the survey vessel would prevent fishing vessel access, potentially reducing fish yields and impacting food security for fishing communities. Additionally, the project is unlikely to provide significant local employment, as the few available jobs require high skills. The survey may also disrupt the cultural and spiritual resources of indigenous communities and those linked to ocean subsistence.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000326#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","oil and gas exploration","marine biodiversity","environmental impact assessment"],"geography_discussed":["Cape Town","Saldanha Bay"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["environmental impact","social impact","legal review"]}]}