Climate activists have filed a lawsuit against TotalEnergies, demanding the disclosure of environmental documents related to the sale of its stake in an onshore oil asset in Nigeria, according to Reuters.
The action, filed in a French civil court, is based on the duty of vigilance law, which requires large French companies to identify and prevent environmental and social risks associated with their activities, including those of their partners and buyers.
The asset in question was operated as part of the Shell, Eni, and TotalEnergies consortium and is located in the Niger Delta.
TotalEnergies plans to sell approximately 10% of its stake in this asset to a Nigerian company as part of a gradual disengagement from international majors. The transaction, announced in January, is subject to approval from Nigerian regulators.
The oil company justifies its withdrawal due to ongoing losses from sabotage and oil theft, describing the situation as “structurally unmanageable” in certain areas of the Niger Delta. According to management, the responsibility for future pollution will fall on the new operator, while repairs for past damages will remain TotalEnergies’ responsibility during its operating period.
Meanwhile, other historical players in the Nigerian field are also disengaging, with Shell already selling its shares and Eni also looking to withdraw.
