News 24: To Frack or Not to Frack? (South Africa)

This week, a number of meetings are being held around the Midlands to inform interested members of the public about the proposal by Rhino Oil and Gas to commence exploration for shale gas in the Midlands.

If the exploration indicates that there are significant shale gas reserves in this region, then there will be subsequent applications for permission to exploit this gas using the hydraulic fracturing technique, known commonly as fracking.

For most of us resident in KZN, the debate regarding whether or not to frack the Karoo has been something we were aware of, but about which we did not necessarily see the need to develop an informed opinion. What most of us may not have been aware of is that Karoo-type shale extends over much of South Africa and is, in fact, just as much beneath our feet here in the Midlands as it is in the Karoo itself. So, with the announcement of Rhino Oil and Gas’s intention to carry out exploration, the issue is now literally in our back yard, and perhaps even in our front yard.

Read the full article HERE.