Searcher Seismic, a company conducting an oil and gas exploration study off South Africa's western coast, said it will leave the work incomplete after a court challenge brought by activists.
Environmental organizations and communities have stepped up campaigns in recent months to stop the activity, which they say is harmful to marine life. They've also criticized the process used to consult people who potentially could be affected by the work.
“We have no other option but to abandon the project and it will not be completed,” the Perth, Australia-based company said in an emailed response to questions.
The High Court of South Africa last month ordered Searcher Seismic and the BGP Pioneer vessel to discontinue any activity related to the work until a final determination is made in the case. That followed an earlier victory by communities in December against Shell Plc, which temporarily blocked seismic activity off another part of the South African coast.
Searcher said its project followed two years of planning and involved environmental studies. “Until the government can provide business certainty regarding issued permits, South Africa will remain uninvestable for us and we will be unable to commence any new seismic survey projects,” the company said.
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