MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In a harbour town like Mossel Bay, there is no need for fishing or tourism sectors to be negatively impacted by oil and gas exploration, but that can only be determined through an environmental impact assessment. 

However, it might be years before South Africa, and eventually Mossel Bay, will begin to see the results of oil and gas exploration projects.

This was heard at a recent meeting with EnerGeo Alliance, a global trade association for the energy geoscience industry, representing geoscience companies, innovators and energy developers. 

Ross Compton, senior director of global policy at EnerGeo Alliance, shared the possibilities that come with oil and gas exploration in South Africa, through projects such as Block 11B/12B.

Also known as the Brulpadda and Luiperd gas deposits, Block 11B/12B is located between 75km and 120km offshore from the south coast between Mossel Bay and Cape St Francis.

Economic benefits

According to Compton, oil and gas exploration and production has the potential to create thousands of jobs and assist in improving South Africa's economy, while also moving away from unsustainable energy sources such as coal to a cleaner alternative, like natural gas.

Additionally, oil and gas exploration and extraction could add an estimated R23b annually to South Africa's GDP and create over 20 000 direct and indirect jobs from key projects like Block 11B/12B alone.

Compton explained that smaller communities will be impacted in some way, but there is potential for positive growth. For Mossel Bay, this can trickle down into the local economy in the form of growth for existing businesses and the creation of new businesses, resulting in more employment opportunities.

However, it might take a while before South Africans will see the results of oil and gas exploration. Compton explained that the process can take between four and 10 years and is also dependent on government policies and regulations.

Objections to oil and gas exploration

In April, the Green Connection - an environmental organisation focused on sustainable development - reported that oil and gas exploration could actually have a negative impact in Mossel Bay.

"The Mossel Bay coast is home to one of the world's fastest ocean currents, making it highly vulnerable to oil spills. Beyond the technical difficulties, the real threat lies in what happens if something goes wrong.

A spill here could devastate South Africa's marine biodiversity, disrupt fisheries and harm coastal tourism - industries that sustain thousands of livelihoods from Mossel Bay to Cape Town and all the way up the West Coast," said the organisation.

The Green Connection's strategic lead, Liziwe McDaid, said their objection to oil and gas exploration does not only stem from potential environmental impacts, but also the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale fishers, tourism operators and coastal businesses who rely on clean and healthy oceans. 

The organisation also raised the concern of when oil and gas wells might dry up and as a result, what will happen to workers, communities and infrastructure dependent on them.

However, from EnerGeo's perspective, not moving forward with oil and gas exploration represents a lost opportunity to reverse industrial decline, weak economic growth and high unemployment, and investment will be directed elsewhere if the opportunity is not taken. 

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