(Bloomberg) — A South African court overturned a decision granting TotalEnergies SE environmental authorization for an oil exploration block offshore the country’s west coast.
The Western Cape High Court ruled that the environmental impact assessment for Total’s Block 5/6/7 was “deeply flawed, failing to address key risks, legal requirements, and public participation,” Green Connection, one of the environmental groups that brought the case, said in a statement.
Environmental groups in recent years have had multiple court victories successfully blocking some exploration activity offshore South Africa.
Total and oil major Shell Plc are ramping up preparations to drill in South Africa after discoveries in 2022 across the maritime border in Namibia that have turned the area into one of the continent’s exploration hotspots.
The company, which withdrew from the block last year, said that “it remained fully committed to respecting the judicial process to its term and to engaging continuously with all its stakeholders.” Total, along with its joint venture partners, “will now legally assess the judgment in more detail and decide on the course of action,” it said.
A spokeswoman for South Africa’s environment ministry wasn’t immediately reachable for comment.
The court ruled that Total be allowed to reapply for the environmental authorization and conduct public participation in the process. Shell, a partner in the joint venture, said it had noted the court’s decision and was reviewing the judgment to determine its next steps.
“As the successor operator of the license Shell has a direct and substantial interest in the matter, as confirmed by the court,” a company spokesperson said. “South Africa is currently reliant on energy imports for many of its energy needs. Should viable resources be found offshore, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and the government’s economic development programs.”
See also: TotalEnergies to drill offshore South Africa, targeting major discoveries
Groups including Green Connection also lodged an appeal last month against Shell’s environmental authorization for the Northern Cape Ultra Deep block along the coast.
“We are reviewing and will respond to administrative appeals brought forward by interested parties through the competent authority,” the Shell spokesperson said.
