- Shell received environmental approval to drill up to five wells in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block of the Orange Basin, targeting depths of 2,500–3,200 meters.
- The move could boost South Africa’s energy security, though legal and environmental challenges threaten exploration efforts nationwide.
Shell has received environmental authorisation to drill up to five deep-water wells off South Africa’s west coast, the company said on Friday, July 11.
The approval follows an application filed last year that covers exploration and appraisal drilling in the Orange Basin’s Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block. Water depths in the targeted area range from 2,500 to 3,200 metres (8,200 to 10,500 feet).
TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) and other international oil firms are also eyeing the basin, which extends south from Namibia into South African waters. Recent significant finds in Namibia have raised hopes for similar success offshore South Africa.
“If viable resources are found offshore, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and support the government’s economic development agenda,” Shell said in a statement. The company did not disclose a drilling timeline.
Shell’s operations along South Africa’s east coast have faced legal setbacks. Environmental groups have challenged seismic surveys over alleged harm to marine life and insufficient public consultation. That legal battle is expected to reach the Constitutional Court later this year, potentially setting a precedent for future exploration efforts.
South Africa’s push to unlock its oil and gas potential has stalled amid regulatory hurdles and strong opposition from environmental activists. The country, which has lost nearly half its refining capacity in recent years, now relies heavily on petroleum product imports to meet domestic demand.