Seismic Surveys

The first step in offshore gas exploration, seismic surveys use airguns that send out loud intermittent blasts that penetrate through the waters and deep into the ocean floor to identify whether oil and gas are present. These blasts can occur every ten seconds 24 hours a day and sometimes for weeks on and can be as loud as a dynamite detonation or a rocket launch.

This alarming noise pollution can be harm ocean mammals and other sea creatures, Destroy ocean ecosystems, and affect livelihoods that depend on a healthy and functioning ocean.

Offshore Exploration

Offshore exploration takes place once the seismic survey has confirmed the presence of oil and gas below the ocean floor. Improvements in exploration technologies, as well as the rising popularity of oil and gas to replace coal, have rapidly increased exploration off the South African shore.

The impacts of offshore gas exploration include (but are not limited to: Disruptions to ocean migratory pathways, Further destruction to ocean habitats and ecosystems, and Oil spills, which can be devastating to both animals and humans who depend on a healthy ocean.

Onshore Exploration

Natural gas can also be found in the geological layers of the earth’s crust. Hydraulic fracturing (known as ‘fracking’) is a drilling method used to extract natural gas from the underground. The Earth’s surface is cracked open by injecting a mixture of water, chemicals and sand at a high pressure.

The impacts of fracking include (but are not limited to):

The emission of harmful greenhouse gasses, such as methane, which contribute to air pollution and climate change, Noise pollution, Loss of animal and plant habitats, Land degradation, Migratory disruptions, and Species decline.

Storage and Transport

Gas is transported in transmission pipelines that can cross within and between countries. The pipelines line gas exploration sites with gas storage facilities.

The impacts of gas storage and transport include (but are not limited to): Damage to the ecosystem and unique scenery, Destruction of wildlife habitats that are crucial for breeding and migration, Release of toxic chemicals to air and water through gas leaks and blowouts, resulting in potentially hazardous situations, such as fires or toxic contamination.

Processing of Gas

Natural gas processing is designed to remove impurities (water, CO2, solids, etc) to produce high quality gas for distribution.

The impacts of gas processing include (but are not limited to): Potential for fires and explosions when processing highly volatile gasses, Burning gas releases harmful greenhouse gasses, Air pollution, and Leaks can cause toxic contamination of the environment.