Environmental Authorisation
South Africa’s Environment Minister, David Maynier, has rejected a challenge by conservationists against the environmental authorisation allowing TotalEnergies to explore Block 3B/4B off the country’s west coast.
The decision, dated 13 October and seen by Reuters, is the latest in a series of appeals and court actions that have hindered oil and gas exploration in Africa’s largest economy.
Some 47 individuals and environmental organisations, including Greenpeace Africa, had appealed against a decision made by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources in 2024 to allow up to five exploration wells to be drilled in the block.
The environmental authorisation was granted to Africa Oil SA Corp, Ricocure and Azinam, with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy later acquiring participating stakes.
Maynier dismissed all the appeals, but imposed conditions relating to assessments of the food security and livelihoods of coastal communities.
Under South African law, any party unhappy with this decision can apply to a court for a judicial review.
TotalEnergies welcomed the decision, stating that they will work with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with environmental monitoring and marine protection regulations.
However, Greenpeace Africa described the minister’s decision to dismiss the appeals as a ‘critical failure’ of environmental governance, representing a direct threat to South Africa’s West Coast, home to the highly prospective Orange Basin.
