South Africa Sets Up Commission to Look Into Shale Gas

Government of South Africa has commissioned an investigation into the possible impacts and potential mitigation opportunities of shale gas if it is found in the country, reported government news agency SA News Tuesday.

“If indeed viable deposits are found in South Africa, shale gas, as a relatively lower carbon energy source, presents significant transformative potential for the South African economy,” Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said on Tuesday in Pretoria.

Minister Pandor said government had commissioned the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Shale Gas Development.

“Not only could the exploitation of deposits of lower carbon shale gas - if found, result in the provision of affordable and safe energy: it is also a potential source of job creation, foreign exchange and investment - and overall contribute towards South Africa’s energy security,” she said.

Minister Pandor said the Strategic Environmental Assessment for shale gas development will be conducted as a science-based assessment to improve the understanding of the risks and opportunities for the shale gas development, SA News reported.

“The Strategic Environmental Assessment will consider both exploration and production related activities and impacts of shale gas development, including the process of hydraulic fracturing, and will include an assessment of all material social, economic and biophysical risks and opportunities presented,” she said.

The study area will include regions of the Karoo Basin which currently have exploration rights, applications are pending in the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Provinces.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment for shale gas development will run over a period of 24 months.