<\/p>\n
Shell Plc lost the latest round of a five-year legal fight with environmental activists over a South African oil-exploration campaign that went all the way to the nation\u2019s top court.<\/p>\n
The oil major won\u2019t be allowed to renew an exploration right off South Africa\u2019s rugged Indian Ocean Wild Coast, the Constitutional Court ruled on Friday. The decision comes as other offshore South African oil searches are challenged, while Namibia approaches the development of crude discoveries just over the maritime border.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the Con Court decided was that the exploration right should be set aside,\u201d said Melissa Groenink Groves, an attorney and program manager at Natural Justice, an applicant in the case.<\/p>\n
A Shell spokesman wasn\u2019t immediately able to comment.<\/p>\n
The decision could further embolden activists who have had multiple victories in court against oil explorers.<\/p>\n
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Read: Shell\u2019s fight with South African activists moves into last round<\/p>\n
The legal saga began in 2021 with activists opposing a seismic survey planned by Shell and a local partner in an area where whales are frequently spotted.<\/p>\n
Environmental groups won an interdict that halted the exploration activity over concerns that communities weren\u2019t properly consulted, and about the impact the survey would have on local residents and marine life.<\/p>\n
The following year, a high court set aside the decision to grant the exploration right, along with two subsequent renewals. Shell\u2019s appeal was dismissed, though the Supreme Court of Appeal later handed the London-based company a reprieve by<\/p>\n
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Environmental groups argued that the Appeals Court erred by giving Shell the opportunity to apply for renewal of a right that has been set aside and, therefore, no longer exists.<\/p>\n
Read: Shell\u2019s Wild Coast seismic blasting case goes to ConCourt<\/p>\n
Shell and TotalEnergies SE are among the explorers looking to utilise prospects to drill offshore South Africa, after discoveries in Namibia\u2019s waters in 2022 turned the area into one of the continent\u2019s exploration hotspots.<\/p>\n
TotalEnergies SE Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne described South Africa as having a complex legal environment to explore. \u201cEach time we want to do it, we need to go to court,\u201d he said in a November 30 earnings call. \u201cIt\u2019s a little difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a9 2026 Bloomberg<\/p>\n
#Shell #loses #fiveyear #legal #fight #South #African #activists<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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