A South African court has withdrawn an environmental authorization permit granted to energy majors TotalEnergies and Shell for exploration activities in Block 5/6/7 – an ultra-deepwater block off the Cape coast. The decision marks a blow to the companies’ efforts to unlock energy resources across the country’s offshore acreage, causing yet another delay for South African energy development and impacting any attempts to enhance energy security. The court order follows a legal challenge brought forward by environmental activist groups The Green Connection and Natural Justice – organizations which remain determined to leave South Africa in the dark.
The African Energy Chamber – the voice of the African energy sector – strongly condemns the continued efforts by environmental hate groups such as The Green Connection and Natural Justice to disrupt progress toward ending energy poverty in South Africa. By lauding the recent court decision to rescind TotalEnergies’ and Shell’s oil exploration permit, these organizations demonstrate a consistent pattern of opposing vital oil and gas projects based on self-interest and entrenched biases, rather than on the best interests of South Africa’s people and economy.
The Green Connection’s Advocacy Officer Lisa Makaula – who prides herself in working towards good governance and sustainable development, according to the organization’s website – has hailed the decision as a “victory for civil society and coastal communities.” The question remains: how is an energy crisis a victory? Why is costly fuels, unemployment and lack of community development opportunities something people should be pleased with? By disrupting these vital projects, these organizations are disrupting South African livelihoods. While Makaula may claim that she is ‘committed’ to sustainable development, the fact of the matter is, her legal challenges – and those of The Green Connection and other groups – prevent the very development opportunities she claims to protect.
The Green Connection and Natural Justice have repeatedly positioned themselves against South African development, using litigation and public campaigns to stall projects that could unlock billions in investment and create thousands of jobs. The real-world impact of these actions is felt by African people – in delayed industrial growth, lost employment opportunities and prolonged reliance on costly energy imports. Western-funded activist groups like these continue to directly undermine economic growth in Africa, promoting agendas that fail to address the continent’s urgent development needs while advancing foreign interests.
While the judgement is deemed a major roadblock for the companies, TotalEnergies and Shell have the opportunity to reopen the environmental permit for public consultation. After this process, the project partners can reapply for the license – demonstrating that hope is still on the horizon for South African communities. For a country plagued with fuel insecurity, the development of offshore oil and gas resources offers much-needed respite.
Companies such as TotalEnergies and Shell have committed to unlocking these resources, introducing a wave of economic opportunities from job creation to infrastructure development to skills development, industrialization and revenue generation. In recent years, TotalEnergies has expanded its presence in the country, acquiring participating interests in Block 3B/4B in 2024. In partnership with Qatar Energy, the company plans to drill up to seven wells offshore South Africa.
Meren Energy – formerly Africa Oil Corp – and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas have also strengthened their presence across the market. Meren Energy increased its stake in Block 3B/4B in early 2025 to 18% while Eco (Atlantic) secured operatorship of Block 1 with the acquisition of a 75% stake in 2025. Situated in close proximity to commercial finds made in neighboring Namibia, these blocks hold significant potential for future discoveries. Meritless legal challenges brought by organizations such as The Green Connection and Natural Justice threaten these projects, undermining investor confidence while delaying the country’s energy progress.
“South Africans deserve energy security, economic opportunity and industrial growth. Oil and gas exploration, development and production offer the promise of achieving these goals. Standing in the way of responsible oil and gas development does not protect our future – it jeopardizes it. We must work together to responsibly harness our resources, end energy poverty and give our people the chance to prosper,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “In opposing vital projects such as those led by TotalEnergies and Shell, groups such as The Green Connection and Natural Justice continue to demonstrate their commitment to disrupting development in Africa.”
