Court Battle to Halt TotalEnergies’ Gas Project on South Africa’s West Coast

Court Challenge Against TotalEnergies’ West Coast Gas Project Cites Environmental and Livelihood Concerns

A coalition of environmental justice organizations and a small-scale fishing cooperative has launched a court challenge to block TotalEnergies from conducting offshore gas exploration along South Africa’s West Coast. The Aukotowa cooperative, along with environmental groups The Green Connection and Natural Justice, filed an application in the Western Cape High Court to halt the project, citing risks to both the environment and local livelihoods.

TotalEnergies’ proposed project, set for the Deep-Water Orange Basin, lies between 188km and 340km from the West Coast, with plans to drill up to 10 exploratory wells. While the energy giant recently withdrew from two other South African offshore exploration projects, it intends to proceed with the West Coast initiative, sparking protests from local communities and environmentalists.

Environmental and Economic Concerns

The Aukotowa cooperative and environmental advocates argue that the project directly threatens South Africa’s biodiversity and the survival of local fishing communities. They claim that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) have failed to adequately assess the ecological and socio-economic impacts of oil and gas exploration in this region.

An oil spill, while deemed “unlikely” by the project’s environmental assessment, carries a high risk of severe and lasting impacts on the local marine ecosystem. Aukotowa chair Walter Steenkamp highlighted that Port Nolloth’s fishers, who rely entirely on the ocean, would face dire consequences from any ecological damage caused by an oil spill.

“Our livelihoods depend on healthy fish stocks and a stable marine environment,” Steenkamp stated in a court affidavit. “We are already seeing fish migration changes due to climate effects, and further disruption from gas drilling could be catastrophic.”

Gas as a “Transition Fuel” – But at What Cost?

TotalEnergies argues that natural gas serves as a necessary “transition fuel” for South Africa, providing a bridge toward the country’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The company claims that gas development will support renewable energy sources by adding stability to the energy mix.

However, environmental groups counter that expanding fossil fuel infrastructure undermines South Africa’s climate commitments. They point to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warnings against new fossil fuel developments and argue that South Africa should focus solely on renewable energy sources.

Implications for Local Communities and National Energy Policy

For local fishers like those in Aukotowa, the risks extend beyond environmental concerns. If an oil spill were to occur, the West Coast fishing communities would face both immediate and long-term livelihood losses. Environmental groups also argue that these communities, who depend solely on fishing, were not adequately consulted and would bear the brunt of any environmental fallout.

South Africa’s broader energy strategy also hangs in the balance. Environmental advocates argue that continued investment in fossil fuels conflicts with the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and a just transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Looking Ahead

The case highlights the mounting tension between South Africa’s economic development goals and environmental responsibilities. With global scrutiny on fossil fuel expansion and increasing calls for climate action, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for future energy projects in the country.

As TotalEnergies faces this legal challenge, environmental and community groups emphasize that protecting the West Coast’s ecosystems and the people who depend on them should take precedence over short-term economic gains.