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South African groups take court action to block seismic search

23rd January 2022

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South African groups are taking court action to block a seismic survey, used to find oil and gas resources, that’s planned off the country’s west coast.

Environmental organizations and communities have increased efforts in recent months to stop the activity that they say is harmful to marine life. They’ve also criticized the process used to consult people who potentially could be affected by the survey.

Green Connection and the Aukatowa small scale fisheries cooperative are among more than a dozen applicants in a notice of motion signed on Jan. 21, according to a copy of the document seen by Bloomberg. It intends to apply to the High Court of the Western Cape province on Feb. 7 for an order to prevent South Africa’s petroleum regulator and other parties involved from continuing the survey.

The groups earlier had warned Searcher Seismic, a company planning to collect data off the west coast of the country, not to participate in the activity.

The case follows a victory by communities in December against Royal Dutch Shell that temporarily blocked seismic activity offshore another area of the coast. That halt will stand until a ruling can be made on whether further environmental authorization by the company is required.

Searcher has said its permit to do the work was granted in May and the company is in compliance with requirements.

Edited by Bloomberg

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