Court asked to overturn government’s approval for TotalEnergies offshore drilling

Environmental groups and small-scale fishers have asked the Western Cape High Court to overturn the government’s approval for offshore oil and gas exploration by TotalEnergies off the west coast.

The joint application was brought by the Aukotowa Fisheries Cooperative, The Green Connection, and Natural Justice.

They argue that the government unlawfully approved drilling of up to ten ultra-deep-water exploration wells in the Orange Basin between Port Nolloth and Hondeklip Bay.

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Lawyers for the applicants told the court that the environmental authorisation failed to properly assess climate change impacts, oil spill risks and the potential harm to vulnerable coastal communities.

They challenged the government’s finding that a major oil spill is unlikely, warning that ultra-deep drilling increases risk, with no spill response plans in place.

Outside the court, The Green Connection’s Lisa Makaula joined about 100 small-scale fishers in a protest.

"Most of the concerns that we had were socio-economic impacts on the livelihoods of coastal communities, particularly in the event of blowouts or oil spills."

Government lawyers told the court that exploration activities would have low impact on fishers, while safeguards for communities are in place.