Mosebenzi Zwane, South Africa’s minister for mineral resources, has announced that the government intends to develop shale gas resources in the Karoo region using hydraulic fracturing
He made the announcement during a community engagement event in the Northern Cape. At the event, information was shared with interested and affect communities on the potential of shale gas development through hydraulic fracturing. The event focused on the impact of shale gas development in water resources and the environment, as well as the economic potential of developing this resource.
In announcing the plans for development, Zwane said the decision to proceed with exploration with a view to extraction was based on the need to diversify South Africa’s energy sources. He said that the benefits of this project would include job creation and an increase inthe gross domestic product of one of the country’s poorest provinces.
It is estimated that 50tcf of gas is in the Karoo basin.
