Rhino Oil and Gas – EIA for Exploration Right (ER) (ER reference: 377)

Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration South Africa (ROGESA) has lodged an application for an Exploration Right (ER) to explore for natural gas in the northern Free State Province, South Africa. The ER application has been submitted to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) on behalf of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in terms of Section 79 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (No. 28 of 2002) (MPRDA).
The ER extends across an area of ~150 000 hectares and includes ~ 870 properties. A locality plan and list of farms is available for download from SLR (see details below). ROGESA’s primary objective is to gather an enhanced dataset to inform future exploration activities. Proposed works includes an aeromagnetic survey and drilling a minimum of two (2) exploration wells in the ER area to confirm presence of gas.
Notice is given of the intention to apply for an Environmental Authorisation and undertake a public participation process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (GN.R 982 of 2014). In terms of the EIA Regulations 2014, the proposed project requires Environmental Authorisation as it triggers Activity 18 of EIA Regulation Listing Notice 2 of 2014, and is subject to a Scoping and EIA process.
SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the independent environmental assessment practitioner responsible for undertaking the required environmental assessment and conducting the public participation process. The application will be subject to a scoping and environmental impact assessment process as stipulated in the EIA Regulations, 2014 made under Section 24(5) of the NEMA.

Status

Notice is hereby given that:

The updated EIA Report and associated appendices were submitted to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) on 31 March 2025.

All registered Interested and Affected Parties will be notified of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resource’s (DMPR) decision on the EIA.