CAPE TOWN, Friday 16 October 2026 — Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment David Maynier has dismissed appeals challenging environmental authorisation for oil and gas exploration in Block 3B/4B off South Africa’s West Coast, allowing the existing approval to remain in place subject to additional conditions.
The decision, dated 13 October and reported by Reuters on Friday, concerns an offshore exploration project operated by TotalEnergies in the Orange Basin.
Environmental organisations and individuals had sought to overturn the authorisation granted in 2024, arguing against the proposed exploration activities.
The minister’s decision represents a significant development in the continuing dispute over offshore oil and gas exploration and its potential environmental and economic consequences.
Appeals against exploration authorisation dismissed
Approximately 47 individuals and environmental organisations, including Greenpeace Africa, challenged the environmental authorisation issued by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The approval permits exploration activities involving up to five wells in Block 3B/4B.
The original authorisation was granted to Africa Oil SA Corp, Ricocure and Azinam, with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy subsequently acquiring participating interests in the project.
Maynier dismissed the appeals against the authorisation.
However, the minister imposed additional conditions relating to the assessment of potential impacts on food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The decision leaves the environmental authorisation in place but does not remove the requirement for compliance with applicable environmental conditions and regulatory processes.
TotalEnergies welcomes decision
TotalEnergies welcomed the outcome, saying it would work with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the conditions attached to the authorisation.
The company indicated that environmental monitoring and marine protection would form part of its compliance obligations.
Block 3B/4B is situated in the Orange Basin, an offshore area that has attracted significant interest from international energy companies following discoveries in neighbouring Namibian waters.
Exploration activities are intended to establish whether commercially recoverable oil or gas resources are present.
An exploration authorisation does not constitute approval for commercial production.
Any future development would remain subject to the applicable regulatory requirements.
Greenpeace raises environmental concerns
Greenpeace Africa criticised the decision, arguing that rejecting the appeals represented a failure to adequately protect the marine environment and coastal communities.
The organisation has consistently opposed new offshore fossil fuel exploration, citing concerns about marine ecosystems, climate change and the livelihoods of communities dependent on the ocean.
The environmental objections form part of a broader national debate over the development of domestic oil and gas resources.
Supporters of exploration argue that new discoveries could contribute to energy security, investment and economic development.
Environmental organisations have questioned whether the potential economic benefits justify the environmental risks associated with offshore exploration.
The competing positions have resulted in several legal challenges involving exploration projects along South Africa’s coastline.
Decision remains open to judicial review
Maynier’s decision does not necessarily bring the dispute to an end.
Under South African law, parties dissatisfied with an administrative appeal decision may seek judicial review through the courts.
A judicial review would examine the lawfulness of the decision-making process and the application of relevant legal requirements.
The outcome therefore removes an administrative obstacle to the existing authorisation but leaves open the possibility of further litigation.
No new court application challenging Maynier’s decision had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Offshore exploration remains contested
The decision comes as South Africa weighs the potential economic benefits of offshore energy development against its environmental obligations and climate commitments.
The government has sought to encourage investment in energy resources while maintaining regulatory requirements intended to protect the environment.
For companies involved in Block 3B/4B, the dismissal of the appeals provides greater regulatory certainty concerning the existing exploration authorisation.
For environmental organisations and affected communities, attention now turns to the additional conditions imposed by the minister and whether further legal action will follow.
The next significant development will be any application for judicial review or confirmation of further exploration activities under the authorisation.
