A South African high court on Friday struck down an urgent application brought by environmentalists to stop oil major Royal Dutch Shell starting seismic surveys to explore for petroleum systems off the eastern seaboard's popular Wild Coast.

The applicants, which included Greenpeace Africa and fishermen, had been seeking to stop the survey on the basis it could cause "irreparable harm" to the marine environment, especially to migrating hump-back whales in the area.

"The court refused to interdict the seismic survey on the basis that irreparable harm to marine species was not proven by the applicants," said Katherine Johnson, a spokesperson for Natural Justice, one of the organizations in court.

"The court ruled that given financial and other prejudice to Shell if the seismic surveys were delayed, the balance of convenience was in Shell's favor," Johnson told Reuters.

A Shell spokesperson said the company was happy with the outcome of the case.

"Shell is pleased with the court’s decision, which will help move this seismic survey forward in accordance with its regulatory approval and permitting," the spokesperson told Reuters.

"Should viable resources be found offshore, this could significantly contribute to the country’s energy security."

Johnson said further litigation from the group cannot be ruled out, as it had concerns the company had not obtained the necessary environmental impact assessments.

Shell said this week that it had met all the legal obligations to undertake the survey in line with regulations and received the necessary approvals.

An online petition and several protests have already been organized against Shell over the survey, which uses a vessel regularly firing an air gun that produces a very powerful shock wave underwater to help map subsea geology.

Shell in 2020 acquired a 50 percent stake in the offshore exploration right held by Impact Africa, a subsidiary of privately owned Impact Oil & Gas.

Another group, Sustaining the Wild Coast, which represents communities along the coastline, lodged a separate court application on Thursday also seeking to halt the seismic survey.

"We are calling for an immediate halt to the survey and that no seismic surveying be allowed without a proper Environmental Authorization," said Sinegugu Zukulu, a spokesperson for the group, in a statement.

(Reuters)

Royal Dutch Shell starting seismic surveys to explore for petroleum systems off the eastern seaboard's popular Wild Coast. (Bloomberg)

Shell gets go ahead for environmentally disastrous seismic surveying on S.Africa’s pristine Wild Coast