Proposed Exploration Drilling in Block Northern Cape Ultra-Deep (NCUD), South Africa

Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V. (Shell) and its Joint-Venture (JV) Partners hold an Exploration Right for Licence Block Nothern Cape Ultra Deep (NCUD). Shell (the operator) is applying to undertake exploration and appraisal activities within Licence Block NCUD. Block NCUD is located off the West Coast of South Africa, roughly between Port Nolloth and Saldanha Bay. The Block is approximately 300 km offshore, in water depths between 2 500 m and 3 200 m. The Area of Interest for drilling is approximately 5 254 square kilometres in extent.
The Operator is applying to undertake exploration and appraisal drilling activities within Licence Block NCUD. The proposed offshore exploration programme includes:
• Drilling up to 5 exploration and/or appraisal wells, including:
o Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP);
o Well testing; and
o Plugging and abandonment of the wells.
• Geophysical surveys:
o Sonar bathymetry survey; and
o Drop core sampling.

SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SLR) has been appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner tasked with conducting the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed project.


Province(s): Offshore