Page 11 - AfrOil Week 35 2022

AfrOil POLICY AfrOil

Macron, who concluded a three-day visit to travel visas to Algerians.
Algiers at the weekend, said in a joint statement In May, Algeria signed major agreements
that the pact will lay the foundation for a new era with Italy under which Sonatrach will sharply
of partnership, expressed through concrete and increase gas and electricity exports to the Ital-
constructive initiatives focused on future pro- ian market. France is hoping to secure a similar
jects and youth. The French leader promised his deal, especially after Macron’s visit to the gas-
country would become more flexible in issuing rich country. ™

South African court revokes Shell’s

rights to Algoa, Transkei blocks

SOUTH AFRICA THE Makhanda High Court in South Africa dealt with the application as an energy-sector
issued a ruling on September 1 that has revoked specific issue.”
the exploration rights granted by the Depart- The ruling also described DMRE’s approach
ment of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to public consultation on the Algoa and Tran-
to Shell (UK) for the offshore Algoa and Tran- skei project as lacking, saying that more action
skei blocks. should have been taken to protect local com-
The court’s decision will prevent Shell from munities’ interests. “Meaningful consultations
moving forward with previously announced consist not in the ticking of a checklist, but in
plans to search for crude oil and natural gas engaging in a genuine, substantive two-way
offshore Eastern Cape Province, adjacent to a process aimed at achieving, as far as possible,
region known as the Wild Coast. The super-ma- consensus,” it wrote.
jor had started conducting a seismic survey of DMRE should also have taken a more cau-
the licence area last December but was forced tious approach in light of apparent disputes
to halt work after a group of environmental and among experts on the impact of seismic stud-
civil society organisations banded together to ies on marine life, the court commented. “This
oppose the project – and filed suit in an effort to applies particularly when there is uncertainty
block it from proceeding. that requires risk-aversion and caution to be
The court justified its decision by saying taken,” it said.
that the original permit had been awarded The court also faulted the department for its
unlawfully. For example, it commented, Energy acceptance of Shell’s claims on job creation and
Minister Gwede Mantashe did not uphold his future revenue generation, as well as its failure
responsibility to take South Africa’s Integrated to take adequate account of questions about cli-
Coastal Management Act, which “introduces an mate change or threats to food supplies. Finally,
integrated approach to management,” into con- it ordered Shell and the energy minister to pay
sideration when awarding exploration rights. the costs of the non-governmental organisations
Instead, it said, he did “quite the opposite and (NGOs) that had filed the suit. ™

Shell hired the Amazon Warrior for a 3D survey of the Algoa and Transkei blocks (Photo: Shearwater GeoServices)

Week 35 01•September•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P11