Providing PetroSA with the environmental advice they need in order to progress the development of their oil field.
The Situation
PetroSA is future-proofing their development in the F-O Gas Field and are evaluating the feasibility of conducting hydraulic stimulation to increase their gas production as a mitigation measure in the event of underperforming wells. In order to make the changes to the development, environmental authorisation needed to be reviewed.
Approach
Advisian was appointed to advise PetroSA on amending their existing Environmental Authorisation for the proposed well stimulation of the three wells in the field located 110 km offshore Mossel Bay, South Africa. The amendment of the environmental authorisation included the update of the Environmental Management Programme for the mitigation and management of environmental impacts.
Specialist investigations were conducted on marine traffic, marine ecology, marine geology, land traffic impact, hydrodynamic modelling and land transportation environmental risk.
The report included:
- A formal public consultation process, complying with regulations
- Commissioning of specialist studies stipulated by the Department of Environmental Affairs and other studies that addressed interested & affected parties (I&AP) concerns
- An update to the Environmental Management Programme for the proposed development
- Water pollution impacts and potential impacts on marine flora and fauna
- Impacts on seabed geology and potential risk of seismic events
- Traffic impacts and the impacts on other users of the sea
Results
The final report provided the client with a robust analysis of potential environmental impacts as well as mitigation measures associated with the proposed hydraulic fracturing activities. It also provided the client with some feasible alternatives.
