South africa has been considering shale gas development in the karoo region. Six reasons the karoo will not be fracked karoo space. There are high hopes that shale gas will be abundantly available in the karoo region of south africa, but history has shown that developing a shale gas industry will no doubt be met with resistance from environmental and social activists regardless of how lucrative the industry might be. Asia received more than half of south africas coal exports, with the largest destination being. Aug 23, 20 proposed fracking in south africa beauty spot blasted this article is more than 6 years old environmental campaigners promise to fight governments plans to allow fracking for shale gas in the karoo. South africas climate change monitoring and evaluation system z. On the other hand, the continental shelf gas field off mossel bay located on south africas garden route, exploited and now nearly depleted, was 1 tcf. South africa may be on the verge of a major oil discovery duration. This is meeting stiff opposition, particularly from residents of the karoo who are concerned about the risks. The fracking at this stage is exploratory, and its happening on the borders of south africa and zimbabwe, and the consequences there at this stage is that its providing money to a. Fracking and the democratic deficit in south africa pdf, 666kb. Petrosa petroleum south africa government owned petroleum company rm millions of rands monetary unit rsa republic of south africa country sa south africa country sapia south african petroleum industry association industry umbrella body.
South africa exports more than 25% of its coal production. Asia received more than half of south africa s coal exports, with the largest destination being. It may be that these regulations may still be amended once hydraulic fracturing is in place and has been monitored for a while. Most of south africas coal exports are sent to asia, with india being the largest recipient.
Jun 26, 2016 republic of south africa 2010b amendment of the broadbased socioeconomic empowerment charter for the south african mining and minerals industry. Unpacking the issues around fracking in south africa. Fracking the karoo in south africa chege publishing. Fracking, a shorthand term for hydraulic fracturing, is the latest example of a. Feb 20, 20 south africa may be on the verge of a major oil discovery duration. I have raised concerns about shale gas exploration and fracking in south africa previously. South africa debates whether to allow fracking bbc news. Too many people want fuel for their cars and electricity for their homes, and the country is struggling to keep up with demand. Hydraulic fracturing in south africa is an energy production strategy in early stages of development using highpressure drilling techniques to release natural gas trapped in shale rock. Jun 18, 2014 the sheer weight of the economics because it is going to be tough for south africa will merely force us to leave the gas in the ground, which would be preferable given the ecological sensitivity of the karoo and the lack of any evident social benefits for south africans other than lots of talk.
The people win over shell in fracking water withdrawal case stefan cramer january 08th, 2016. Health risk perception of karoo residents related to. A close look will be taken at the fracking laws of the usa which today is largely the most advanced fracking nation in the world, with a view of importing the extensive knowledge into south africa s own legal system. Republic of south africa 2010b amendment of the broadbased socioeconomic empowerment charter for the south african mining and minerals industry. Groundwater maps could help south africa prepare for safer. Fracking in america is not ecomonically viable or sustainable. South africa sa, as the rest of the world has to look to alternative energy sources in order to satisfy energy needs shell exploration company, 2011. Mar 29, 2012 the karoo is not as well known as kruger national park with its elephants, leopards and lions.
Scientific assessment of shale gas development in south africa presentation to portfolio committee on science and technology, parliament, cape town 01 november 2017 zanele tshwete, greg schreiner, paul lochner. Previously a lake 275 million years ago, shale gas began to form in the lowoxygen karoo as organic mud accumulated. Mar 11, 2014 is there a way to harness the positive power of fracking, reduce its negative impact and move towards a greener future. One of the key issues under debate is the protection of groundwater resources in rural areas, since most of south africas rural and some inland cities are dependent on. Conventional gas reserves offshore of mozambique have been estimated at 75 tcf. Two thirds of south africas surface area and more than 300 towns. Proposed fracking in south africa beauty spot blasted this article is more than 6 years old environmental campaigners promise to fight governments plans to allow fracking for shale gas in the karoo. In arid south african lands, fracking controversy emerges the contentious practice of hydrofracking to extract underground natural gas has now made its way to south africas karoo, a semidesert known for its stark beauty and indigenous plants. South africas government recently announced it would start granting exploration permits for shale gas in early 2014.
Pdf the potential impacts of fracking on biodiversity of. South africa fracking news, research and analysis the. South africas karoo region is a pristine wilderness of red hills and wildflowers. Mar 23, 2012 south africa has an energy deficit on its hands. A viable gas find in south africa, even if quite small, would potentially transform the national energy economy. Jul 14, 2017 unpacking the issues around fracking in south africa. Sep 07, 2012 south africa has lifted a ban on the extraction of shale gas using the controversial fracking technique. We oppose the introduction and licensing of fracking in south africa in the absence of conclusive proof that fracking is the only and the best answer to our energy and employment needs in sa. Aug 21, 20 the south african government recently lifted a moratorium on fracking.
Yet, for south africa itself, the decision is still only an early step on a very uncertain path forward. In arid south african lands, fracking controversy emerges. Dec 19, 2017 south africa has been considering shale gas development in the karoo region. Mar 20, 2012 south africa s karoo region is a pristine wilderness of red hills and wildflowers. Shale gas development in the central karoo strategic. This is a sound analysis with its emphasis on the ponzischeme or houseofcards nature of the american approach to fracking. The future of shale gas in south africa karoo space. Drilling of wells into tightly compacted rock strata to depths of 3 to 5 kms. Technically recoverable shale oil and shale gas resources 6 2. South africa has only recently been exposed to terrestrial gas resource development and this has created unique regulatory issues which are currently being resolved.
Its being propped up by wall street and gasoil industrybought politicians. By barclay nicholson us on september 15, 2014 posted in canada, europe, hydraulic fracking, south africa, united kingdom with north america leading the way in shale oil and gas production, interest is mounting globally in the unconventional hydrocarbon sector. Sep 02, 2011 fracking stirs controversy in south africa the debate over hydraulic fracturing has spread as energy companies lease rights to a huge shale field yale environment 360, part of the guardian. Karoo basin, south africa eiaari shale gasoil assessment. Little information is available on the potential impacts of fracking on biodiversity, both in south africa 85 and also globally.
Regulation of hydraulic fracturing in south africa. There is an estimated reduction of 3060% in carbon emissions by retrieving natural gas, compared to energy produced by current means such as coal and. The karoo is not as well known as kruger national park with its elephants, leopards and lions. Hydraulic fracking in the karoo, south africa ejatlas. South africas geological karoo basin, which covers an area of 700 000 km2. Abstract the late carboniferous to midjurassic karoo basins hold an important place in south african geology and economics as they occupy more than half of the nations land area and host the coal deposits that provide most of the countrys energy. The figures given by the oil companies about the amount of water needed for fracking are, however, questionable. Rain clouds hang over the karoo near graaffreinet october 26, 20. Shale gas fracking in the karoo northern cape provincial. Fracking south africa reports fracking south africa. South africa is now exploring the idea of exploiting the field of shale gas in the karoo in order to derive energy fundamental for development. South africas per capita greenhouse gas emissions are the highest in africa. Legislation does not necessarily address the project life cycle of a specific project and environmental regulation during this project 21 reg 8512 of gn r466.
South africa s commitment to renewable energy lags behind that of china, india, brazil, and russia. Rsa republic of south africa country sa south africa country sapia south african petroleum industry association industry umbrella body sarb south african reserve bank central bank sasol south african ctl processor corporation soekor south african oil exploration corporation government exploration agency, now part of petrosa stp standard. Ewt perspective on shale gas in south africa the endangered. It could also be home to one of the worlds largest deposits of gas shale, placing it at the heart of a global. A south african perspective on shale gas hydraulic fracturing. Shale gas extraction is an unexplored field in south africa, and with the exception of the usa, a relatively nascent industry throughout the world. Vermeulen institute for groundwater studies, university of the free state, bloemfontein, 9301, south africa abstract during the period 1965 to 1975, soekor explored for oil and gas in the karoo, a pristine semidesert area in south africa. South africa has lifted a ban on the extraction of shale gas using the controversial fracking technique. Fracking in sa could be a gamechanger or a damp squib fin24.
May 14, 2015 the methods and chemicals used to frack are locationdependent. Shale gas fracturing fracking in the northern cape 4. Located in the western cape region of south africa, it is a desert area that is home to tortoises and eagles, and has been the subject of recent experiments to resettle the black rhino and resurrect the quagga, an unusual zebra like creature that went extinct in 1998. The methods and chemicals used to frack are locationdependent. South africa s gn r466 also provides for astronomical issues, most probably due to the possible location of the hydraulic fracturing sites near to sites where astronomy may occur.
Most of south africa s coal exports are sent to asia, with india being the largest recipient. A south african perspective on shale gas hydraulic fracturing p. This page was last edited on 15 january 2020, at 15. South africa s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are the highest in africa. It could also be home to one of the worlds largest deposits of gas shale, placing it. Sep 04, 20 natural gas extraction is being promoted as the solution to south africa s energy crisis. Fracking involves injecting pressurised water mixed with sand and a cocktail of chemicals into boreholes to crack open the impermeable shale and allow the gas to escape to the surface. South africa exported 78 million metric tons or 86 million short tons of coal in 2014. Scientific assessment of shale gas development in south africa.
As the first country to reverse a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing more commonly known as fracking south africa is now poised to move forward with the controversial process, exploring what experts believe to be the eighth largest shale gas reserve in the world. New documentary shows danger of fracking in southern africa. Large parts of south africas beautiful, but waterpoor and ecologically sensitive karoo region are under threat of being devastated by mining operations to extract natural gas using a controversial technique called hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Is there a way to harness the positive power of fracking, reduce its negative impact and move towards a greener future.
Pdf the potential impacts of fracking on biodiversity of the karoo. South africas commitment to renewable energy lags behind that of china, india, brazil, and russia. There are said to be huge deposits of shale gas in the semidesert karoo area, known for. South africa receives more than twice as much sunshine than germany, where over 15 percent of the national electricity supply comes from renewable sources. The spate of sometimes violent strikes in the country, eskoms inability to provide a reliable supply of electricity, much red tape and corruption at all government levels plus the imminent risk of downgrading south africas credit rating.
Technically recoverable shale oil and shale gas resources. South africa has about 119trillion cubic metres in technically recoverable, but not proven, reserves of natural gas in the karoo basin. Content is available under creative commons attributionnoncommercialsharealike. After initially imposing a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing also known as fracking in april 2011, the south african government lifted the moratorium in september 2012 after an. The karoo is the geographic area that is the focus of future hydraulic fracturing in south africa, derived from a word in the local language meaning dry. Concerns over insanity of shell south africa fracking. The pivotal move has sent a strong message to those on both sides of the ongoing fracking debate. The most optimistic estimates say that there are large amounts of shale gas in the karoo that could be used for fracking. Groundwater only contributes about % of the total water supply of south africa, but it is an important strategic water source. The karoo is a beautiful but dry semidesert stretching from the west coast of south africa, across a third of the country. South africa have the potential to bestow widespread socioeconomic benefits upon the countrys inhabitants. Fracking is not an option in south africa get out of the karoo. Sourcewatch is a project of the center for media and democracy cmd.
This video is based on the iss paper fracking for shale gas in south africa. Nov 21, 2017 groundwater only contributes about % of the total water supply of south africa, but it is an important strategic water source. A fracking boost for the south african economy inspiring gas exploration across the globe the production of commercial and shale gas has been regarded as a major breakthrough in the oil and gas industry in the last decade, with hydraulic fracturing i. In south africa, formal interest in fracking began in 2008. Shell and other energy companies want to harness the untapped reserves of natural gas below the karoo using fracking. Natural gas extraction is being promoted as the solution to south africas energy crisis.
Since then, there have been a number of applications for exploration rights from companies such as bundu oil and gas, shell sa and falcon gas and oil. The people win over shell in fracking water withdrawal case in a unanimous new years eve ruling, the appellate division, fourth department, in rochester ruled against the painted post water withdrawal project. Determine the areal extent of the shale formations within the basin and estimate its. A south african government plan to allow fracking in the vast karoo semidesert has been condemned as completely irresponsible by environmental campaigners, who have vowed to fight it in court. The gas, will be expensive to explore and extract, will be used as part of the countrys energy mix.
Hydraulic fracking in the karoo, south africa description. Results of the decision are raising the stakes for both those for and against the controversial practice. Hydrochemical and hydrogeological impact of hydraulic. Fracking stirs controversy in south africa the debate over hydraulic fracturing has spread as energy companies lease rights to a huge shale field. Oct 28, 20 rain clouds hang over the karoo near graaffreinet october 26, 20.
During fracking millions of litres of water, sand and numerous chemicals most of which are. Stretching across the heart of south africa, the karoo has stirred emotions for centuries, a stunning semidesert wilderness fit. The south african government recently lifted a moratorium on fracking. A synopsis of south africas 2015 annual report on monitoring climate change responses z. Jan 06, 2017 in south africa, formal interest in fracking began in 2008. A fracking boost for the south african economy corporate. There are said to be huge deposits of shale gas in. The flipside of the shale coin however is tainted by environmentally fuelled controversy. Various oil and gas companies such as shell, bundu, falcon, anglo have applied for licenses to explore for shale gas in the greater karoo basin spanning from the western cape to kzn, with the intention of producing natural gas using the controversial method of horizontal hydraulic. Fracking stirs controversy in south africa environment.
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