Shell has gained approval to drill up to five deepwater wells off South Africa’s west coast, aiming to explore or appraise the Orange Basin. The drilling will occur at depths between 2,500m and 3,200m. Competitors like TotalEnergies are also eyeing opportunities in the area.
If successful, the exploration could significantly boost South Africa’s energy security. However, Shell did not disclose specific timelines for the drilling operations. Previous exploration along the east coast faced legal challenges, with ongoing litigation that could impact the country’s oil and gas future.
South Africa has faced challenges in developing its oil and gas potential, with declining refinery capacity leading to increased reliance on imports. In Libya, the National Oil Corporation has partnered with BP and Shell for hydrocarbon exploration and development studies in three oilfields, with plans to reopen BP’s office in Tripoli by 2025.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Shell receives environmental authorisation to drill off South Africa’s west coast