South Africa has granted an environmental permit for exploration activity in the Orange Basin off the nation’s west coast, adding to other planned offshore work.
The area, which includes blocks licensed by TotalEnergies and Africa Oil Corp, received approval from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on April 17, according to an email notice from Environmental Impact Management Services.
The proposed work includes seismic programs, a research method that uses sound pulses to identify geology, which has been opposed by activists who cite risks to marine life. The project area is located within 120 km of the coastline of the Bay of St. Helena, extends north to 230 km from the coast of Hondeklip Bay.
TotalEnergies is also planning exploration work, including drilling up to 10 wells, in a neighboring area known as the Deep Water Orange Basin.
Both Total and Shell last year made major oil discoveries in the northern bloc in Namibian waters. Polls, including one planned by Shell Plc, have previously been blocked in South African courts after protests by community groups.
