South African court confirms Shell seismic exploration ban

A South African court upheld on Thursday an earlier ban imposed on energy giant Shell from using seismic waves to explore for oil and gas off the Indian Ocean coast.

The judgment delivered in the southern town of Makhanda marked a monumental victory for environmentalists concerned about the impact the exploration would have on whales and other marine life.

The 2014 decision granting the right for the “exploration of oil and gas in the Transkei and Algoa exploration areas is reviewed and set aside,” the high court in the southern city of Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) ruled, according to judgment seen by AFP.

Civil rights organizations and civilians celebrated outside the courthouse following the verdict, according to local media.

A Shell spokesperson said they “respect the court’s decision” and that they would review the judgment to “determine our next steps”.

Shell did not say if it will appeal the judgment or not.

“We remain committed to South Africa and our role in the just energy transition,” he said.

Last December the same court issued an interim order prohibiting the company firm from forging ahead with its plans.

The petroleum giant was set to collect 3D seismic data over more than 6,000 square kilometers (2,300 square miles) of ocean off South Africa’s wild coast — a 300-kilometer (185-mile) stretch of rich waters housing exquisite marine life and natural reserves.

Campaigners argued that the research would have sent “extremely” loud shock waves every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day for five months, potentially harming marine species, and disrupting their routines.

AFP