Environmental Baseline Survey, Block 567 – South Africa – 2022 – TotalEnergies E&P South Africa B.V.

doi:10.15468/jtw6y2

Environmental Baseline Survey, Block 567 – South Africa – 2022 – TotalEnergies E&P South Africa B.V.

Citation

TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V. (2024). Environmental Baseline Survey, Block 567 – South Africa – 2022 – TotalEnergies E&P South Africa B.V.. TotalEnergies. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/jtw6y2 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-14.

Description

TotalEnergies E&P South Africa (TEEPSA) contracted Benthic Solutions Limited (BSL) for the provision of an Environmental Baseline Study (EBS) within Block 5/6/7 located off the southwest coast of South Africa. Survey operations within Block 5/6/7 were carried out aboard the supply vessel Bourbon Evolution 807 between the 8th and 27th of November 2022. Environmental operations were conducted across the 10,422km2 Priority Area to gather information on the physico-chemical and biological environment prior to drilling activities. Block 5/6/7 is located in an area that extends from the continental slope to deep bathyal plain up to 300 km offshore from the South African coast. Water depth of surveyed stations ranged from 677 to 3,115 m below sea level. The sampling strategy was designed by BSL and Creocean to follow TEEPSA set investigation targets and station selection rationale. The sampling plan consisted of sediment and water column sampling combined with seabed video acquisition in order to provide a greater understanding of the regional seabed habitats. Opportunistic marine megafauna observations were also to be undertaken during the survey to provide an understanding of the marine mammal communities present in the Block. This survey included characterisation of the seabed and water column physico-chemistry and biology, as well as, opportunistic observations of marine megafauna by marine mammal observations (MMO) and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), to provide an understanding of the baseline conditions prior to commencing further drilling and development activities. The main objectives for the survey were to: • Acquire baseline data of sediment and water column physico-chemical characteristics within the survey area. • Identify and assess any existing pollutants within the sediment and the water column, in particular, those related to oil and gas activities within the survey area. • Identify sensitive habitats or species susceptible to disturbance from drilling and construction related activities. • Establish an understanding of the natural variation in environmental conditions against which the environmental impact of future oil and gas operations can be assessed. The sampling plan consisted of sediment and water column sampling combined with seabed video acquisition to provide a greater understanding of the regional seabed habitats. Opportunistic marine megafauna observations were also undertaken during the survey to provide an understanding of the marine mammal communities present in the Block. Based on time constraints as a result of weather, the survey strategy was continually modified to acquire data for priority areas, or areas with no previous data, as agreed with the client.

Sampling Description

Method steps

Taxonomic Coverages

N/A

Chordata
rank: phylum
Testudines
rank: order
Balaenopteridae
rank: family
Delphinidae
rank: family
Mammalia
rank: class
Animalia
rank: kingdom
Cetartiodactyla
rank: order
Physeteridae
rank: family
Cheloniidae
rank: family

Geographic Coverages

Multiblock Regional, Environmental Baseline Survey, Block 567, South Africa.

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V.
originator
TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V.
3rd Floor – Tygervalley Chambers 2 27 Willie Van Schoor Avenue
Bellville
7530
Bellville
ZA
Telephone: +27210034060

Delsy Sifundza
user
position: Biodiversity Coordinator
TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V.
3rd Floor – Tygervalley Chambers 2 27 Willie Van Schoor Avenue, Bellville 7530 -– South Africa
Bellville
7530
Bellville
ZA
Telephone: +27210034060
email: delsy.sifundza@external.totalenergies.com

Khuliso Mudau
administrative point of contact
position: Environmental Coordinator
TotalEnergies EP South Africa B.V.
3rd Floor – Tygervalley Chambers 2 27 Willie Van Schoor Avenue
Bellville
7530
Bellville
ZA
Telephone: +27210034060
email: khuliso.mudau@totalenergies.com