South Africa has cleared another hurdle for offshore oil and gas exploration. Reuters reported on October 15 that Environment Minister David Maynier, in a decision dated October 13, dismissed appeals against an environmental authorisation for exploration in Block 3B/4B off the country's West Coast.
The authorisation, originally granted in 2024, allows up to five exploration wells. The block is operated with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy holding participating stakes alongside the original South African licence holders.
The minister dismissed all of the appeals, which had been lodged by 47 individuals and environmental organisations including Greenpeace Africa, but imposed conditions dealing with assessments of food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Greenpeace Africa criticised the decision as a failure of environmental governance. TotalEnergies welcomed it and said it would work with authorities on compliance, environmental monitoring and marine protection. Under South African law, opponents can still ask a court to review the decision.
