Mapping environmental sensitivities to inform the Phased Gas Pipeline Strategic Environmental Assessment

Abstract

In 2014, Operation Phakisa was launched by the South African government with the aim of unlocking the oceans economy. One of the sectors targeted for expansion as part of the Operation Phakisa was the offshore oil and gas industry. The Phased Gas Pipeline Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was identified as the first initiative required to facilitate the development of the offshore oil and gas industry. The aim of this SEA is to identify 100km-wide corridors (onshore) for the routing of underground gas pipelines. To delineate and refine these corridors, a host of features that are environmentally sensitive, as well as engineering features that may compromise the routing options for gas pipelines, have been considered. This presentation focuses on the analyses used to refine and design the location of the gas corridors, the identification of least sensitive routing options within the corridors, and expansion of existing electricity grid infrastructure corridors.