TotalEnergies plans to explore for oil on South Africa’s west coast, where environmental groups have increasingly opposed such activity.
The French explorer proposes to drill one well, which could lead to nine additional wells depending on the success of the first, SLR Consulting, which is doing the environmental assessment, said on its website. TotalEnergies did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Community and environmental activists in South Africa have blocked seismic surveys, including one planned by Shell in an area known as the Wild Coast, through lawsuits, citing risks to marine life and criticizing consultation processes. The government licensing regulator has pledged to improve public disclosure processes.
The deepwater Orange Basin area of interest is offshore between Port Nolloth and Hondeklip Bay, approximately 188 km offshore at its closest point, in water depths of up to 3,000m, said SLR.
Both TotalEnergies and Shell earlier this year made major oil discoveries in the northern block in Namibian waters.
