WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Block 3B/4B EIA Report available for comment

The document outlines proposed oil and gas exploration activities by a joint venture (Africa Oil SA Corp, Ricocure (Pty) Ltd, and Azinam Limited) in Block 3B/4B off South Africa's west coast. It details the planned drilling of up to five wells, the associated logistics involving ports and helicopters, and the potential environmental and social risks. Key concerns include impacts on marine biodiversity, noise pollution, disruptions to fishing and tourism livelihoods, and the contribution of fossil fuel expansion to the climate crisis. Conversely, it notes potential short-term economic gains and job creation. The guide provides a timeline for the EIA process and instructions for the public to submit comments by 8 February 2024.

• The joint venture partners intend to drill up to five exploration wells in a designated Area of Interest within Block 3B/4B, which covers approximately 17,581 km2 off the west coast of South Africa.
• The project area intersects with highly sensitive marine zones, including the Childs Bank Marine Protected Area (MPA) and the Childs Bank and Shelf Edge Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area (EBSA), as well as the Orange Shelf Edge MPA and the Orange Seamount and Canyon Complex EBSA.
• Drilling and vessel activities may cause noise pollution that disrupts the feeding and migration of marine species and can cause physical injury to hearing or other organs.
• The exploration activity could lead to a temporary loss of approximately R184.1 million in employee compensation from the national economy and over R362 million from household incomes due to disruptions in commercial fishing and maritime logistics.
• The project is linked to the climate crisis as the eventual exploitation of oil and gas increases greenhouse gas emissions; the document cites a 2022 Oceana study suggesting that stopping new offshore drilling could help achieve nearly 13% of the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
• The project may disrupt the cultural and spiritual ties of small-scale fishers and Indigenous communities in the Northern Cape and Western Cape, who view the ocean as a living entity and a resting place for ancestors.
• The EIA report estimates the creation of 1,411 formal skilled jobs, 1,743 formal semi-skilled jobs, 1,042 formal low-skilled jobs, and 763 informal jobs, though these are noted as short-term benefits for an operational period of 20 to 24 months.

APA

Natural Justice (2020). WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Block 3B/4B EIA Report available for comment. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Eng_3B4B-Africa-Oil-Community-Pamphlet_Jan2024.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Block 3B/4B EIA Report available for comment. 2020. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Eng_3B4B-Africa-Oil-Community-Pamphlet_Jan2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Block 3B/4B EIA Report available for comment |date=January 2020 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Eng_3B4B-Africa-Oil-Community-Pamphlet_Jan2024.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2020what, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Block 3B/4B EIA Report available for comment}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2020}, month = jan, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Eng_3B4B-Africa-Oil-Community-Pamphlet_Jan2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }