Project Summary

  • Operation Phakisa: Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration Lab (Initiative A1: Phased gas pipeline network)
  • Project Initiation: April 2017
  • Project Phases:
    • Phase I: Positive Mapping (Energy Demand)
    • Phase II: Negative Mapping (Environmental and Engineering Constraints)
    • Phase III: Environmental Assessment
  • Number of proposed gas corridors: 7
  • Extent: National
  • Project duration: 18 Months
  • Project Team:
    • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
      CSIR is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation councils in Africa. Constituted by Scientific Research Council Act (Act 46 of 1988, as amended by Act 71 of 1990) as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research, technological innovation as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of the country’s people. The CSIR has been instrumental in the introduction and evolution of SEA in South Africa, and more widely across the African continent and globally. Most recently the CSIR was appointed by the Department of Environmental Affairs as lead consultants on a series of innovative SEAs to inform national scale spatial planning and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental regulatory processes for the roll out Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP). http://www.csir.co.za/
    • South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
      SANBI conducts research, as well as monitors and reports on the state of biodiversity in South Africa. The institute provides knowledge and information, planning and policy advice, and best-practice management models in partnership with stakeholders. For over 12 years, SANBI has been instrumental in coordinating the biodiversity sector’s data for input into EIAs, EMF’s, SDFs and more recently SEAs undertaken as part of the roll out Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP). Furthermore, SANBI also plays a significant role in the multi-sectoral national environmental prioritisation and assessment through supporting DEAs Natural Resource Management programmes. http://www.sanbi.org/
  • SEA Project Steering Committee
  • SEA Expert Reference Group