Shell receives environmental authorisation to drill off South Africa’s west coast

Shell has secured environmental authorisation to drill up to five deepwater wells off South Africa's west coast, according to a report by Reuters.

The approval follows the company's application last year for drilling exploration or appraisal wells in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block within the Orange Basin.

The planned drilling activities will take place at depths between 2,500m and 3,200m.

Shell's authorisation is part of a broader interest among oil companies in the Orange Basin, where significant discoveries have been made in neighbouring Namibia.

Competitors such as TotalEnergies are also considering opportunities to drill in this area, which extends southwards into South African waters.

Shell highlighted the potential benefits of successful exploration, stating: “Should viable resources be found offshore, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and the government’s economic development programmes.”

However, the company did not provide specific timelines for the drilling operations.

The oil major's previous exploration along South Africa's east coast faced setbacks due to legal challenges concerning public consultation and environmental concerns.

The ongoing litigation, which is slated for a hearing in South Africa's highest court later this year, could influence the future of oil and gas exploration in the country.

The region has experienced challenges in developing its oil and gas potential due to environmental pressures, legal hurdles, and bureaucratic processes.

South Africa has seen a decline in refinery capacity over recent years, leading to increased reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

In related news, Libya’s National Oil Corporation has partnered with BP and Shell to conduct hydrocarbon exploration and development studies in three Libyan oilfields.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BP includes detailed studies in the Messla and Sarir oilfields, among others.

BP also plans to reopen its office in Tripoli by the last quarter of 2025 to manage projects and oversee progress in Libya.

"Shell receives environmental authorisation to drill off South Africa’s west coast" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.

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