South Africa dismisses appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies Block 3B/4B

CAPE TOWN, Oct 15 (Reuters) – South Africa’s environment minister has dismissed a challenge lodged by conservationists against an environmental authorisation to allow ​exploration in TotalEnergies-operated Block 3B/4B off the ‌country’s West Coast.
• The decision by Environmental Affairs Minister David Maynier, dated October 13 and seen by Reuters, is the latest in a series of appeals and court actions ‌that ​have stymied oil and gas ⁠exploration in Africa’s largest ⁠economy.
• Some 47 individuals and environmental organisations, including Greenpeace Africa, appealed to overturn a 2024 decision by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum ​Resources allowing up to five exploration wells to be drilled in the block.
• The environmental authorisation ⁠was granted to Africa Oil ⁠SA Corp, Ricocure (Pty) Limited and Azinam ​Ltd, with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy later taking up participating ​stakes.
• Maynier dismissed all the appeals but ‌imposed some conditions on the grounds of appeal dealing with assessments of food security and livelihoods of coastal communities.
• Under South African law, any party ⁠unhappy with his decision can apply to a court to have the decision judicially reviewed.
• TotalEnergies welcomed the decision ⁠and said ‌it will work with authorities to ⁠ensure compliance, including on environmental monitoring ​and ‌marine protection.
• Greenpeace Africa said the ​minister’s decision ⁠to dismiss the appeals was a “critical failure” of environmental governance and a direct threat to South Africa’s West Coast, where the highly prospective Orange Basin is found.…Read more by Thomson Reuters