South African court revokes TotalEnergies, Shell joint oil exploration permit

A South African court has rescinded an authorisation granted to TotalEnergies and its joint venture partner Shell to explore for oil in a block off the Cape coast, a court judgment seen by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.

However, the court said TotalEnergies should be given a chance to rectify deficiencies identified, including a failure to properly assess the potential socio-economic impacts of any oil spills, or take climate change into consideration.

"Total must be afforded opportunity to submit new or amended assessments ... to cure the deficiencies identified," Western Cape High Court 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 located between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, leaving the operatorship to Shell, with South Africa's PetroSA holding a minority share.

Anti-exploration lawsuits

The order is the latest in a series of court challenges between environmentalists and oil companies looking to explore along South Africa's coast.