{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"geography":["Deep Water Orange Basin"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'Deep Water Orange Basin' for facet 'geography' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":4,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?geography=Deep+Water+Orange+Basin","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-000208","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000208","title":"IOLI NOPHONONONGO: UNXWEME OLUSENTSHONA","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"sw","date_published":"2025-03","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FINAL_IsiXhosa_TEEPSA-DWOB-South_Info-Pamphlet_EISA.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"TotalEnergies (TEEPSA) plans to drill up to seven exploration wells for oil and gas in the southern Deep Water Orange Basin (DWOB), approximately 211 km off the South African coast at depths between 500m and 3,900m. The project is currently in the second stage of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with the public invited to submit comments on the ESIA draft report by 10 March 2025. Potential risks identified include noise and pollution affecting marine life—such as whales, dolphins, and African penguins—as well as negative impacts on local fishing livelihoods and the cultural and spiritual significance of the coastline from Port Nolloth to Cape Town. Additionally, fishers and environmental groups are expected to challenge TEEPSA's existing environmental authorisation for the western DWOB in the Cape High Court in February 2025.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000208#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"TotalEnergies (TEEPSA) proposes to drill up to seven new exploration wells for oil and gas in the southern Deep Water Orange Basin (DWOB). Each well is expected to take between three and four months to drill.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000208#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The drilling operations will take place 211 km from the coast in deep waters ranging from 500m to 3,900m, which may represent the deepest drilling closest to the shore.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000208#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Potential socio-economic and cultural impacts include reduced fishing profits due to changes in fish behavior and the disruption of spiritual and cultural connections to the coast between Port Nolloth and Cape Town.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000208#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Environmental and fishing organizations intend to challenge the environmental authorisation (EA) granted in 2023 for activities in the western part of the DWOB in the Cape High Court in February 2025.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000208#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["environmental impact assessment","public participation"],"geography_discussed":["Cape Town","Port Nolloth","Lambers Bay","Saldanha","Hout Bay"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["fact sheet","public notice"]},{"id":"natjust-000189","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000189","title":"TEEPSA Deep Western Orange Basin South WHAT ACTION CAN I TAKE? COMMENT ON THE SCOPING REPORT","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2025-02","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/English_TEEPSA-DWOB-south-Scoping-Report-Final.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines TEEPSA's proposal to drill up to seven exploration and appraisal wells in a 15,000 km2 area of the Deep Water Orange Basin South, located approximately 211km from Saldanha. It details the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, the technical phases of drilling, and potential risks to marine life, fishing livelihoods, and the cultural heritage of coastal communities. The public is invited to submit comments on the draft Scoping Report by 19 February 2025.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"TEEPSA proposes to drill up to 7 exploration and/or appraisal wells in the southern part of the DWOB block, with each well's activities estimated to take 3 to 4 months.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The drilling operation involves three phases: a Mobilisation Phase to establish logistics and transport equipment, an Operation Phase involving drilling and the discharge of cuttings, drilling fluid, and residual cement onto the seabed, and a Demobilisation Phase to plug and abandon wells.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project will utilize a Deepwater Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), such as a drillship or semi-submersible unit, supported by up to three vessels and helicopter transfers from Cape Town.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Potential environmental impacts include changes in seawater quality and increased noise, which may cause fish and migratory whales—such as sperm and humpback whales—to move away or be injured.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project may negatively impact fishing livelihoods; between 2017 and 2019, an average of 149 fishing lines in the DWOB area yielded 191 tonnes of large pelagic species like tuna and swordfish.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project may affect the intangible cultural heritage of First Peoples and Small Scale Fishers (SSF) along the West Coast from Port Nolloth to Cape Town, who maintain spiritual connections to the ocean.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000189#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["environmental impact assessment","oil spill"],"geography_discussed":["Saldanha","Port Nolloth","Hondeklip Bay","Cape Town","Lüderitz","Western Cape"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["environmental impact summary","public consultation guide"]},{"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-000336","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/natjust-000336","title":"TotalEnergies on the West Coast of South Africa (TEEPSA) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Deep Water Orange Basin (DWOB)","publisher":{"name":"Natural Justice","organization":"natural-justice"},"document_type":"guide","language":"en","date_published":"2023-06","source_url":"https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TEEPSA-community-pamphlet-.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines TEEPSA's plan to drill up to ten exploration wells in the Deep Water Orange Basin off the West Coast of South Africa. It details the regulatory process for obtaining Environmental Authorisation, warns of potential risks to marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the climate, and encourages affected parties to submit comments by June 12, 2023.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000336#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V. (TEEPSA), in partnership with QatarEnergy and Sezigyn (Pty) Ltd, intends to drill one initial exploration well in the Deep Water Orange Basin, with the potential for up to nine additional wells if oil or gas is discovered.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000336#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The proposed exploration area is located between Port Nolloth and Hondeklip Bay, situated between 188 km and 340 km from the coast at depths ranging from 750m to 3000m.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000336#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project poses risks to marine life, specifically affecting the migratory routes of sharks, billfish, and various tunas, as well as several whale species including sperm, humpback, common dolphins, and Southern right whales.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000336#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Potential socio-economic impacts include threats to the aquaculture, tourism, and fishing sectors due to declining marine populations, and the likelihood that employment opportunities will be limited to a few highly skilled positions rather than local workers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000336#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document argues that the project will exacerbate the climate crisis because the eventual exploitation of oil and gas will increase atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to warming oceans and extreme weather for coastal communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"natjust-000336#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["carbon dioxide","climate change","environmental impact assessment","fossil fuel"],"geography_discussed":["Port Nolloth","Hondeklip Bay","Cape Town","Saldanha"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["impact assessment","public consultation guide"]}]}