Block 11B/12B considered positive for local energy market says expert

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In a landscape where economic growth is weak and insecurities in the energy system remain, the domestic potential stemming from the development of the offshore gas field project Block 11B/12B could be hugely positive.

This is according to energy geoscience industry expert Dr Ross Compton, who recently weighed in on the talk surrounding Block 11B/12B and Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd's environmental authorisation application for the production rights to the area.

Compton, the senior director of global policy for the EnerGeo Alliance, said it will be critical for South Africa to start producing its own gas as the country heads toward a gas cliff.

This term describes the expected gas shortage predicted for 2028 due to the depleting reserves from Mozambique's Pande and Temane fields, which have, for the last 20 years, supplied about 90% of the country's gas.

Compton said that, should environmental authorisation be given to Main Street and development of those blocks go ahead, the South African economy would see a massive boost as well as a trickle-down of new jobs created in the Garden Route.

He said this is, of course, all dependent on what the environmental assessment finds, and which particular development scenario will be used.

Compton said the process is currently in the scoping phase, which is early on in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (Esia) process.

After public review and competent authority review, the Esia and scoping report are submitted to the departments of mineral and petroleum resources, and forestry, fisheries and the environment for review and decision.

Compton said the surveys conducted as part of this process vary and include seismic surveys that move beyond the exploration stage that lead to the discovery of the gas fields. These shallow seismic and high-resolution surveys map out the upper layers of the ocean floor, looking at its stability, the marine habitats present and general site conditions.

He said to help plan pipeline routes and well locations effectively and ensure the most economic and environmentally responsible way forward, the range of seismic surveys planned are largely non-intrusive.

Compton added that economic development and the environment are not mutually exclusive, and that they can co-exist nicely.

He said investing in the country's gas market would also see the country gain more control over the energy situation and perhaps lessen South Africa's exposure to the challenges posed by outside factors.

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