Shell has received environmental authorisation to proceed with offshore drilling activities in the Orange Basin on the South African side of the maritime boundary.
The approval follows a series of regulatory applications and legal challenges, and is expected to enable further exploration in an area considered to hold significant oil and gas potential.
The African Energy Chamber and the South African Oil and Gas Alliance have welcomed the decision, citing the need to reduce the country’s reliance on imported hydrocarbons. Both organisations expect exploration activity in the Orange Basin to increase, supported by ongoing regulatory reforms and streamlined environmental approvals.
“This milestone marks the start of a new era of energy development in South Africa and is poised to reshape the trajectory of the country’s economic growth,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
This development follows TotalEnergies’ exit from the Brulpadda and Luiperd fields in July last year after discoveries were deemed not commercially viable. According to the African Energy Chamber, TotalEnergies’ exit makes further exploration efforts more vital.
Shell has not yet announced a timeline for drilling activities.
