On 23 & 24 March 2026, the Western Cape High Court heard a landmark case challenging the environmental authorisation granted to TotalEnergies for oil and gas exploration in the Deep Water Orange Basin (DWOB) off South Africa’s West Coast. The applicants Aukotowa Fisheries Co-operative, The Green Connection, and Natural Justice argued that the approval process was fatally flawed, irrational, and inconsistent with the Constitution, the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and South Africa’s climate and energy commitments. Watch court hearing on YouTube.

Background

On 23 October 2023, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources granted environmental authorisation to TotalEnergies for drilling ultra-deep-water exploration wells in the DWOB.
● 14 November 2023: The applicants lodged internal appeals challenging the decision.
● 24 April 2024: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment dismissed all appeals.
● The applicants subsequently approached the Western Cape High Court to review and set aside both the Director-General’s original decision and the Minister’s dismissal of the appeals.
This case forms part of a growing national pushback against offshore oil and gas exploration, which communities and civil society groups argue threatens marine ecosystems, food security, and South Africa’s just energy future.

Download TEEPSA DWOB North Court Case Factsheet (Afrikaans, English, IsiXhosa)

Court Papers

TEEPSA Deep Water Orange Basin – Applicants Heads of Argument and LA 23619-2024

TEEPSA – Deep Water Orange Basin – Pleadings bundle paginated as per index 2026-03-03

TOT304 – TEEPSA Deep Water Orange Basin – Third Respondent’s Heads Argument – 13.02.2026