Main Street 1549 still pursuing permission for operations in Block 11B/12B offshore South Africa

South Africa’s government has given Main Street 1549 more time to submit a new environmental and social impact assessment for offshore Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin.

According to Africa Energy Corp., which holds an indirect interest in the company, this follows the recent decision by the Western Cape High Court in South Africa to set aside an environmental authorization for offshore exploration operations in Block 5/6/7 (operated by TotalEnergies).

That would allow new and amended environmental assessments to be performed and submitted to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources for reconsideration.

The unrelated party has initiated an application for leave to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The grant of the environmental authorization, Africa Energy explained, is a pre-requisite to the granting of a production right in relation to Block 11B/12B, which contains the Brulpadda and Luiperd deepwater gas-condensate discoveries formerly operated by TotalEnergies.

Subject to approvals by the South African authorities for last year’s withdrawal by TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and CNR International, and completion of the restructuring of Main Street, the latter would hold a 75% interest in Block 11B/12B—assuming granting of the production right in relation to Block 11B/12B.