The government has given the go-ahead for shale gas development in the Karoo region, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said on Thursday. He revealed this during a community engagement on shale gas development in Richmond, in the Northern Cape. "Based on the balance of available scientific evidence, government took a decision to proceed with the development of … [Read more...]
Scoping accepted for Natal fracking
Despite the many strong objections lodged by anti-frackers in the Midlands at a series of meetings, the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) has accepted the scoping report submitted by Rhino Oil and Gas, which allows the company to continue with the environmental impact assessment (EIA). In a statement issued last week SLR Consulting stated: “The acceptance means that … [Read more...]
Anti-fracking lobby slowly gaining momentum in KZN
The anti-fracking lobby is slowly gaining momentum after yet another large portion of KZN province prepares for a future of gas and oil exploration. Last month Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration South Africa officially announced its intention to explore over 3,2 million hectares of land in Northern KwaZulu-Natal affecting areas such as Ulundi, Melmoth, Pongola, Newcastle and … [Read more...]
Official warns of fracking water pollution in dehydrated SA
A senior government official has spoken out strongly about the high risks of water pollution from gas fracking in one of the driest countries in the world. Namisha Muthraparsad, acting Deputy Director for Water Use in the national Department of Water and Sanitation, warned yesterday that South Africa, as the 30th-driest country in the world, could not allow petroleum … [Read more...]
Concern as drilling test off Durban coast is approved
A seismic drilling test off the Durban coast has been approved for next month, but environmentalists say the decision will destroy beaches and marine life. Last week, groundWork and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) received notification that a seismic offshore drilling survey will be conducted on February 4. Schlumberger company was granted a … [Read more...]
Botswana sells fracking rights in national park
The Botswana government has quietly sold the rights to frack for shale gas in one of Africa’s largest protected conservation areas, it has emerged. The Kgalagadi transfrontier park, which spans the border with South Africa, is an immense 36,000 sq km wilderness, home to gemsbok desert antelope, black-maned Kalahari lions and pygmy falcons. But conservationists and top park … [Read more...]
Campaigners attack UK government u-turn on fracking
Campaigners have attacked a UK government U-turn that could result in fracking being carried out beneath the New Forest and the South Downs National Park. A cross-party committee of MPs will debate the potential impact of fracking and the level of protection given to special areas of the English countryside. The government originally pledged that fracking would be banned … [Read more...]
10,000 farms to be explored in dubious KZN gas rights deal
A one-man show run from a shared office block in Cape Town has obtained the largest exploration rights in KwaZulu-Natal. Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration South Africa, which has its corporate office in the known tax haven of the British Virgin Islands, and with no known black economic empowerment partner, has landed not only a 1,5-million hectare exploration right in KZN, but … [Read more...]
New bid for oil exploration in KwaZulu-Natal sparks fear
A Texas petroleum exploration company with prospecting rights over huge chunks of KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa has begun its attempt to find gas and oil in the mountains near Matatiele. Although the company insists that the latest exploration bid will not involve any fracking at this stage, agriculture and environmental watchdog groups fear that any … [Read more...]
TKAG warns of fracking ‘Trojan horse’
Reports that oil and gas multinational Shell is reviewing its plans for fracking outside the Americas could be a "Trojan horse", the Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) said on Tuesday. "Shell is a seasoned campaigner and what may at first blush appear to be a withdrawal from Karoo shale gas, may just be a Trojan horse," TKAG head Jonathan Deal said in a … [Read more...]
Shale gas protests in Southern Algeria going national
Protests against fracking are happening in Algeria. Recent news coming from this country focuses on two main issues: the effects of falling oil prices and the anti-shale gas drilling protests in the southern region. The two matters are inherently connected because the drop in oil prices is leading the Algerian regime to pursue nontraditional hydrocarbon sources, such as … [Read more...]
Cansa launches fracking transparency initiative
Cansa is worried hazardous substances & carcinogens could contaminate drinking water in the Karoo. The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) has launched an initiative which it hopes will force companies to be transparent, should fracking for shale gas become a reality in the Karoo. The association is worried hazardous substances and known carcinogens, which are … [Read more...]
A good time to frack the ocean?
Here is an intelligent look at what lies ahead for SA if we push forward with the plan to frack the ocean near Mossel Bay, by Andreas Wilson-Späth, a freelance writer with a PhD in geochemistry: If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know what I think about fracking: it’s a dangerous, polluting, wasteful, climate changing and altogether unnecessary technology, and … [Read more...]
