Shell's NC ultra-deep oil & gas drilling project urged to be immediately set aside
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources authorised the project a month ago.
Environmental activists and coastal communities protesting Shell’s Northern Cape ultra-deep oil and gas drilling project. Picture: Supplied
CAPE TOWN - Environmental activists and coastal communities are calling on government to immediately set aside oil giant Shell's Northern Cape ultra-deep oil and gas drilling project.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources authorised the project a month ago.
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Environmentalists, Green Connection and Natural Justice, have highlighted concerns, saying the approval could be unlawful.
The legal advisor for the Green Connection, Shahil Singh, said Shell's environmental and social impact assessment report for its ultra-deep oil and gas drilling project along the west coast appears to be riddled with flaws.
"The oil spill blowout response plans, which are the documents that tell us how Shell would respond to a disaster, were not even included in the assessment."
Community outreach coordinator at the Green Connection Neville van Rooy said government should be moving away from the use of fossil fuels.
"This is another way to loot our oceans with pollutants like oil and gas. We need to move away from all fossil fuel activities in our oceans.
Petroleum Agency South Africa said it will respond on behalf of government in due course.