Environmentalists launch court bid to halt TotalEnergies gas project off West Coast
TotalEnergies is preparing to bring ten exploration drills to the deep-water orange basin near Port Nolloth.
Picture: Facebook/TotalEnergiesSouthAfrica
CAPE TOWN - Environmental justice organisations and a small-scale fishing movement have launched a high court bid to stop French petrol giant TotalEnergies' oil and gas exploration off the West Coast.
TotalEnergies is preparing to bring ten exploration drills to the deep-water orange basin near Port Nolloth.
The Green Connection said its submissions about the negative socio-economic effect the drilling could have on the region have been ignored.
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"This judicial review is seeking to understand how the decision was made without those comments being taken into consideration, especially taking into consideration local fishing livelihoods,” said Green Connection’s Lisa Makaula.
In July this year, TotalEnergies ended two offshore projects off the Southern Cape Coast and Cape Agulhas after the operations proved futile.
Makaula said the plans will affect marine ecosystems.
"We are hoping this judicial review will provide the necessary information that we seek and will ensure that there is good governance and law will be followed in a proper way," said Makaula.