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South African Court Blocks TotalEnergies Oil Project
The court found TotalEnergies' environmental impact assessment flawed for ignoring climate change, socio-economic risks, and public participation, halting oil drilling in a 10,000-square-kilometre offshore block.
- On August 13, 2025, the Western Cape High Court revoked environmental permission for TotalEnergies' offshore drilling operations near South Africa’s west coast.
- This came after a court challenge brought by two environmental organizations that contended the project’s environmental review inadequately addressed the full range of climate, socio-economic, and cross-border impacts.
- The court found TotalEnergies had not disclosed full contingency plans for oil spills, ignored coastal laws, and failed to assess long-term emissions from production, requiring a fresh assessment with public participation.
- Legal advisor Shahil Singh described the ruling as an important victory that promotes openness, careful consideration, and the protection of the interests of shoreline residents and local fishers, emphasizing their insistence on having a voice in decisions that impact their way of life.
- The ruling sets a landmark precedent emphasizing environmental rights, and TotalEnergies has stated it is studying the judgment and will decide next steps, while communities and environmentalists view it as a victory for ocean protection.
23 Articles
23 Articles
South African court rescinds TotalEnergies oil exploration permit
A South African court has rescinded an environmental authorisation granted to TotalEnergies and its joint venture partner Shell to explore for oil in a block off the Cape coast, a court judgment seen by Reuters showed.
South Africa: Offshore Drilling Project Halted in Landmark High Court Victory for Coastal Communities Against Shell, TotalEnergies
Press Release - In a landmark victory for civil society and coastal communities, the Western Cape High Court has set aside the South African government’s decision to grant environmental authorisation for offshore drilling in Block 5/6/7, along the South-West Coast. Judge Mangcu-Lockwood delivered her judgment on Wednesday, 13 August. Following an intense legal challenge by The Green Connection and Natural Justice that exposed serious flaws in h…
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…
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