US EditionSouth African Court Blocks TotalEnergies Oil Project
Court found serious flaws in environmental and social risk assessments and ordered new evaluations with public input before any offshore drilling can proceed, protecting coastal communities.
- On Thursday, the Western Cape High Court overturned the approval for TotalEnergies' offshore oil and gas exploration near Cape Town, citing deficiencies in the environmental assessment and public consultation process.
- The court found the environmental impact assessment flawed for ignoring economic risks of oil spills, climate change, and denying fair public participation as required by law.
- TotalEnergies, which holds a 40% stake in block 5/6/7 together with Shell and PetroSA, has decided to withdraw from exploration activities in the block but retains the option to submit revised assessments following a new round of public consultation.
- Environmental organizations, including Green Connection, hailed the ruling as an important success for the rights and interests of coastal communities and small-scale fishers, highlighting the importance of openness and careful evaluation of oil projects.
- The judgment highlights the requirement for due process in South African offshore drilling, reflecting growing regional energy interest driven by discoveries off Namibia and Mozambique.
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High court victory for coastal communities against TotalEnergies, Shell over offshore drilling – The Mail & Guardian
The high court in the Western Cape has set aside the government’s approval of the environmental authorisation for TotalEnergies EP South Africa to drill for oil and gas in offshore areas known as Block 5/6/7 along the country’s south-west coast. The court has sent the matter back to the department of minerals and petroleum to make a fresh decision, following further studies, the addition of further information and public participation. While th…
High court rescinds permit for Shell, TotalEnergies to explore for oil off west coast
The Western Cape High Court has rescinded an environmental authorisation granted to TotalEnergies and its joint-venture partner Shell to explore for oil in a block off the Cape coast.
·Johannesburg, South Africa
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left, 43% Right
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources lean Right
43% Right
L 43%
14%
R 43%
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