Consumer controversies

TotalEnergies Offshore Drilling Halted by High Court: What Comes Next for South Africa

Published

2 weeks ago

August 19, 2025

Chiraag

TotalEnergies offshore drilling, South Africa court ruling, environmental victory, fishing communities, Western Cape High Court, Shell exploration South Africa, oil spill concerns, energy future, Joburg ETC

TotalEnergies Faces Rough Seas After Court Ruling Halts Offshore Drilling

When a French energy giant collides with South Africa’s coastline, the fallout ripples far beyond boardrooms. TotalEnergies E&P South Africa and its partners are regrouping after a major legal defeat in the Western Cape High Court, which has thrown their offshore oil exploration ambitions into uncertain waters.

The Court’s Call

The ruling, delivered on 13 August 2025 by Judge Nobahle Mangcu Lockwood, set aside the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s environmental authorisation of April 2023 for offshore drilling in Block 5/6/7, along the southwest coast, as well as the Minister’s appeal decision of September 2023.

The court found that Total’s Environmental Impact Assessment had left serious gaps, including failing to fully assess the socioeconomic impacts that a well blowout or oil spill could have on fishers and coastal communities. Other omissions related to climate change considerations, transboundary effects, and contingency planning.

The court remitted the matter for a fresh decision and directed that Total may file new or amended assessments, with public participation on those assessments before any outcome.

Energy vs Environment

For TotalEnergies, the setback is serious, even though the company formally announced its exit from Block 5/6/7 on 29 July 2024. Shell has since been appointed as successor operator. The company has indicated it intends to seek transfer of its interest and an amendment of the authorisation to reflect Shell as the new operator, but that process still requires regulatory approval.

The reaction to the ruling has laid bare the tensions at the heart of South Africa’s energy debate. On one side, the African Energy Chamber described the decision as a blow to national energy security, arguing that responsible oil and gas development is essential to ending poverty and fuelling growth.

On the other, environmental groups hailed the judgment as a landmark win. Natural Justice and The Green Connection, who led the legal challenge, celebrated the fact that communities’ voices must be heard and that partial or “convenient” assessments will no longer cut it. For coastal residents, fishers, and tourism operators, the court’s decision represents not only environmental protection but also a lifeline for local economies.

Why It Matters

South Africa finds itself at a crossroads. With power shortages, load shedding, and the rising cost of imports, the hunger for new energy sources is undeniable. Yet the country’s Constitution enshrines the right to an environment protected for present and future generations. This case has highlighted how these two priorities can clash head-on.

For many, the ruling is a reminder that corporate projects cannot steam ahead without proper consultation and accountability. For others, it is a frustration that much-needed energy development is being stalled in the name of process.

What happens next will depend on whether TotalEnergies chooses to revise its studies, how the DMRE responds, and whether Shell remains invested in the block’s future. One thing is clear: the battle for South Africa’s seas is far from over, and the outcome will shape both the country’s energy future and its environmental legacy.