Searcher Seismic Reconnaissance Project

Searcher Geodata UK Ltd (hereafter referred to as the applicant - Searcher) has recently undertaken a 3D seismic survey offshore of the west coast of South Africa as part of the reconnaissance permit 12/1/043. The survey commenced in January 2024 and ceased in April 2024. Due to the fact that a Reconnaissance Permit can only be valid for 1 year the 043 permit will expire on the 10 November 2024.
Searcher was not able to complete the intended survey during the 2023-2024 season, due to the viable acquisition windows and vessel availability. Searcher has consequently applied for a new Reconnaissance Permit over the same area. A new Environmental Authorisation will be required in order for Searcher to continue under a new Reconnaissance Permit.
Searcher has appointed Environmental Impact Management Services (Pty) Ltd (EIMS) as the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to assist with undertaking the required authorisation processes (including the statutory public participation) and to compile and submit the required documentation in support of application for Environmental Authorisation (EA) in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (GRN982 of 2014, as amended)- Listed Activity 21(b) (GNR 983): Any activity including the operation of that activity which requires a reconnaissance permit in terms of section 74 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, as well as any other applicable activity as contained in this Listing Notice or in Listing Notice 3 of 2014, required to exercise the reconnaissance permit, excluding-
(a) any desktop study; and
(b) any arial survey.
Searcher proposes to undertake a 3D seismic survey off the West Coast of South Africa. The proposed project area is located between approximately 256 km offshore of St Helena Bay, extending north along the western coastline to approximately 220 km offshore of Hondeklip Bay. The survey area at the closest point is approximately 218 km offshore of the coast of the Western and Northern Cape.
Province(s): Northern Cape, Western Cape