South Africa has approved the offshore drilling plans of TotalEnergies, the French oil and gas giant, despite opposition from environmental activists and local communities. The decision was announced by the environment minister Barbara Creecy, who dismissed an appeal by more than a dozen individuals and groups who challenged the environmental authorisation granted to TotalEnergies in April.
The appellants raised concerns about the potential impacts of noise, light, oil spills, climate change and inadequate public consultation on the marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of coastal communities. But Creecy said in a 144-page ruling that the impacts of the drilling had been “adequately assessed and mitigated” and that TotalEnergies had complied with the legal requirements.
TotalEnergies plans to drill up to five exploration wells in Block 5/6/7, an area of about 10,000 square kilometers located between 60 and 170 kilometers off the Cape coast, in water depths ranging from 700 to 3,200 meters. The company hopes to find natural gas and oil reserves that could boost South Africa’s energy security and economic development. In 2019, TotalEnergies made a significant discovery of gas condensate in the same block, which was hailed as a game-changer for the country.
South Africa is not the only African nation that is pursuing offshore exploration. Mozambique, Tanzania, Angola and Nigeria are among the countries that have attracted foreign investment in their oil and gas sectors. However, the offshore drilling activities have also faced criticism from environmentalists, who argue that they pose a threat to the biodiversity and climate of the region. They also warn that the fossil fuel industry is not compatible with the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming.
TotalEnergies has said that it is committed to operating in a responsible and sustainable manner, and that it will adhere to the highest environmental and social standards. The company has also pledged to support the energy transition and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The offshore drilling project in South Africa is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the final investment decision by TotalEnergies and its partners.
Source: Reuters
