Latest news with #NobahleMangcu-Lockwood
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
South African court blocks offshore oil exploration by UK, French-backed energy firms
A South African court has blocked an offshore oil exploration project backed by France's TotalEnergies and the UK's Shell, citing major flaws in the environmental review process. A South African court has blocked an oil exploration project by TotalEnergies and Shell due to flaws in the environmental review process. The ruling rescinds the project's environmental authorization over inadequate assessments of socio-economic impacts and climate effects. Companies are permitted to submit revised assessments to address identified deficiencies in environmental and social studies. The ruling rescinds a government-issued environmental authorisation for exploration off the Cape coast, finding that the approval failed to properly assess the potential socio-economic impacts of oil spills and the broader effects of climate change. While halting the project, the court left the door open for a revised application, stating that the companies should be allowed to address the shortcomings. "Total must be afforded opportunity to submit new or amended assessments ... to cure the deficiencies identified," Reuters quoted Western Cape High Court Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood as saying. The court directed that these updated assessments should include deeper studies on environmental risks, climate impacts, and possible disruption to local fishing and coastal communities. According to Reuters, the decision marks the latest in a series of legal battles between environmentalists and oil companies seeking to explore South Africa's coastline. Energy firms have recently intensified their push into the country's west coast, aiming to replicate the string of oil and gas discoveries made in neighbouring Namibia's section of the prolific Orange Basin. TotalEnergies to review South Africa offshore ruling. In a statement, a TotalEnergies spokesperson acknowledged the ruling, insisting its local unit and partners had complied with all South African regulations. 'TotalEnergies E&P South Africa, along with its joint venture partners, will now legally assess the judgment in more detail and decide on the course of action,' the spokesperson said. The French company had already signaled plans to exit the concession, handing operatorship to Shell while PetroSA retained a minority share. The ruling has reignited debate over foreign-backed fossil fuel projects, balancing energy security and jobs against environmental, biodiversity, and climate concerns.l South Africa's anti-drilling group hail court ruling The case comes amid growing tensions in South Africa over balancing economic development with environmental protection. Supporters say the project could boost energy security and create jobs, while critics warn of lasting harm to marine ecosystems, tourism, and climate goals. Natural Justice, a non-profit that was among the applicants, praised the court's decision as a major step forward for communities and environmental groups seeking to curb oil and gas exploration along South Africa's coastline. 'This judgment again confirms that companies must follow due process, undertake comprehensive assessments, and provide communities with an opportunity to be heard,' Melissa Groenink-Groves, the organisation's programme manager, told Reuters.
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Shell and Total dealt devastating South Africa offshore drilling blow
The Western Cape High Court has refused environmental authorisation for offshore drilling in a venture led by French energy giant TotalEnergies off South Africa's west coast, in a ruling on Thursday. The High Court said on Wednesday the environment ministry's 2023 go-ahead for exploratory operations in the roughly 10 000-square-kilometre block near Cape Town had been 'reviewed and set aside'. Environmental lobby groups that launched a legal challenge against the project said it would harm marine life. The block is jointly owned by South Africa's state oil company PetroSA, TotalEnergies and British oil heavyweight Shell, with the French firm serving as the operator. In a statement to AFP, TotalEnergies said the venture complied with all required local regulations, including environmental and social, from the outset and it would assess the judgement. Although it had already announced its exit from exploration in the block, it remains 'fully committed to respecting the judicial process to its term', the company said. In overturning the environmental permit, the judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood said TotalEnergies could reapply for authorisation after public consultation. Green Connection, one of the groups that filed the legal challenge, said the ruling was a major victory for coastal communities and small-scale fishers. 'Oil spill and blowout contingency plans were kept from the public until after approval, denying communities a chance to comment,' it said in a statement. Interest in oil and gas exploration off South Africa's coast has surged in recent years, driven in part by major discoveries across the maritime border in Namibia and broader energy activity in southern Africa, including Mozambique. The Natural Justice group of environmental lawyers said Wednesday's judgement affirmed that all companies needed to follow due process before seeking the green light for oil exploration off South Africa. 'We will continue to turn to our courts to not only stop the takers who parade under the guise of growth and development, but to ensure that impacts of oil and gas exploration and production are properly scrutinised and that our people and our resources are not exploited,' it said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Court halts TotalEnergies South African oil exploration
JOHANNESBURG - A South African court has refused environmental authorisation for planned offshore drilling by French energy giant TotalEnergies near the foot of Africa, in a ruling seen by AFP Thursday. The High Court said Wednesday that the environment ministry's 2023 go-ahead for the exploratory operations in the roughly 10,000-square-kilometre (3,860-square-mile) block near Cape Town had been "reviewed and set aside". Environmental lobby groups had launched a legal challenge against the project, saying it would harm marine life. The block is jointly owned by South Africa's state oil company PetroSA, TotalEnergies and British oil heavyweight Shell, with the French firm serving as the operator. In overturning the environmental permit, Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood said TotalEnergies could reapply for authorisation after public consultation. Green Connection, one of groups that filed the legal challenge, said the ruling was a major victory for coastal communities and small-scale fishers. "Oil spill and blowout contingency plans were kept from the public until after approval, denying communities a chance to comment," its legal advisor, Shahil Singh, said in a statement. Interest in oil and gas exploration off South Africa's coast has surged in recent years, driven in part by major discoveries across the maritime border in Namibia and broader energy activity in southern Africa, including Mozambique. The Natural Justice group of environmental lawyers said Wednesday's judgment affirmed that all companies needed to follow due process before seeking the green light for oil exploration off South Africa. "We will continue to turn to our courts to not only stop the takers who parade under the guise of growth and development, but to ensure that impacts of oil and gas exploration and production are properly scrutinised and that our people and our resources are not exploited," it said.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Court blocks TotalEnergies' South African offshore drilling plan
Environmental groups have won a court battle to stop TotalEnergies from exploring for oil off South Africa's coast, A South African court has refused environmental authorisation for offshore drilling in a venture led by French energy giant TotalEnergies near the foot of Africa, in a ruling seen by AFP Thursday. The High Court said Wednesday the environment ministry's 2023 go-ahead for exploratory operations in the roughly 10 000-square-kilometre (3,860-square-mile) block near Cape Town had been 'reviewed and set aside'. Lobby groups launch legal challenge Environmental lobby groups that launched a legal challenge against the project said it would harm marine life. The block is jointly owned by South Africa's state oil company PetroSA, TotalEnergies and British oil heavyweight Shell, with the French firm serving as the operator. In a statement to AFP, TotalEnergies said the venture complied with all required local regulations, including environmental and social, from the outset and it would assess the judgement. Although it had already announced its exit from exploration in the block, it remains 'fully committed to respecting the judicial process to its term', the company said. ALSO READ: Activists protest against offshore drilling along SA coast by TotalEnergies In overturning the environmental permit, the judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood said TotalEnergies could reapply for authorisation after public consultation. Environmental groups react to ruling Green Connection, one of the groups that filed the legal challenge, said the ruling was a major victory for coastal communities and small-scale fishers. 'Oil spill and blowout contingency plans were kept from the public until after approval, denying communities a chance to comment,' it said in a statement. Interest in oil and gas exploration off South Africa's coast has surged in recent years, driven in part by major discoveries across the maritime border in Namibia and broader energy activity in southern Africa, including Mozambique. The Natural Justice group of environmental lawyers said Wednesday's judgement affirmed that all companies needed to follow due process before seeking the green light for oil exploration off South Africa. 'We will continue to turn to our courts to not only stop the takers who parade under the guise of growth and development, but to ensure that impacts of oil and gas exploration and production are properly scrutinised and that our people and our resources are not exploited,' it said. NOW READ: TotalEnergies hit with lawsuit over 2021 Mozambique jihadist massacre
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
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. However, the court said TotalEnergies should be given a chance to rectify deficiencies identified, including a failure to properly assess the potential socioeconomic impacts of oil spills or take climate change into consideration. 'TotalEnergies must be afforded the opportunity to submit new or amended assessments to cure the deficiencies identified,' judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood said in her August 13 ruling. A TotalEnergies spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The French company said last year it intended to exit the concession, Block 5/6/7 between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, leaving the operatorship to Shell, with PetroSA holding a minority share. The order is the latest in a series of court challenges between environmentalists and oil companies looking to explore along South Africa's coast.
