Green Link and Natural Justice Condemn 'World's Deepest' Oil Drilling as Reckless and Unfair

A New Threat to South Africa’s Coastal Communities and Oceans

The Green Connection and Natural Justice are sounding the alarm over a new deep-water drilling project that could have devastating consequences for people, the ocean, and the climate. This time, the focus is on TotalEnergies' proposal to drill what would be the world's deepest offshore well in the Deep Western Orange Basin (DWOB South). The project has raised serious concerns among environmental advocates, who argue that it poses significant risks to local communities and marine ecosystems.

Liziwe McDaid, Strategic Lead at The Green Connection, highlights the scale of the project. "If approved, this would mean drilling at depths of nearly 3,900 metres, only 211 km off the coast of Saldanha – home to many indigenous small-scale fisher families. It would be reckless to put their livelihoods and our marine heritage at risk," she says. The location of the proposed well is particularly concerning given its proximity to communities that depend heavily on fishing and tourism.

The Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (DESIAR) has come under scrutiny for its handling of potential environmental risks. According to McDaid, the report downplays the risk of catastrophic oil spills and makes unsubstantiated claims about the ability to cap a blow-out within 20 days. However, experts warn that such an event could take months to contain at these depths. A spill of this magnitude could devastate fisheries and wipe out tourism jobs, potentially affecting neighboring Namibian waters as well.

Governance Failures and Community Disengagement

One of the most troubling aspects of the DESIAR is its failure to address cumulative climate impacts and its lack of meaningful engagement with affected communities. Many fisher communities report that they were not adequately reached during consultation processes, while others say they were only given limited information. This lack of transparency may undermine people's constitutional rights, especially since the project could lock South Africa into a costly, carbon-heavy path that contradicts climate science and the country’s just transition commitments.

McDaid also points out that the report appears to inflate economic benefits, but most skilled jobs could go to foreign contractors, leaving locals with only short-term, low-paid work. In contrast, coastal fishing and tourism—proven, sustainable drivers of jobs and GDP—are placed at risk by the project.

Overlooked Environmental Impacts

The DESIAR barely addresses the impact on marine biodiversity, despite the deep ocean’s critical role in regulating the climate and sustaining fisheries. Noise pollution from seismic blasts and drilling is also overlooked, with the report dismissing the risks to marine life such as whales, fish, turtles, and seabirds. These activities can disorient marine animals and drive them away from their feeding grounds, threatening already vulnerable species.

Shahil Singh, Legal Advisor at The Green Connection, emphasizes that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) must consider the full life cycle of a fossil fuel project, not just the exploration phase. "By failing to properly address this, the report could mislead the public into thinking exploration is harmless, when in reality it is often the first step towards large-scale oil and gas extraction," he explains. The recent Teepsa 5/6/7 judgment confirmed this principle, making it clear that weak and incomplete assessments will not stand.

Climate Commitments and Economic Risks

South Africa already faces a strict carbon budget, and any new oil and gas production could push national emissions beyond Paris Agreement commitments. This could undermine climate obligations and expose the country to potential EU/UK carbon border tariffs. The International Court of Justice recently reaffirmed that governments have a duty to prevent climate harms, yet the DESIAR does not appear to calculate full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Multiple exploration and drilling projects are already underway in South African and Namibian waters. Each one adds pressure to fragile marine ecosystems, yet the DESIAR treats them in isolation. Experts warn this approach is akin to approving multiple factories to discharge into the same river while claiming each has "minimal impact."

The Misleading Narrative of 'Transition Fuel'

Calling gas a "transition fuel" is misleading, as methane—a potent greenhouse gas—is released throughout the production cycle. Methane is estimated to be over 80 times more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period. Investing in gas instead of clean, affordable renewables could lead to more expensive electricity for ordinary South Africans. True development should prioritize people-centered approaches that uplift communities, restore balance with nature, and secure livelihoods rather than risking oceans and heritage for short-term profit.