Metalgalante S.p.A.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
CAF Data Centre Industry Outlook
Car Mix

twitter Facebook Linkedin acp Contact Us

South Africa lifts fracking ban in Karoo region

Fracking involves pumping of pressurised water, chemicals and sand underground to release gas trapped in rocks. (Image source: mrpbps/Flickr)

South Africa has lifted restrictions on shale gas exploration in the Karoo region using fracking

 

The decision will provide a major boost to the local economy as fracking could enable some of the biggest reserves of shale gas to be tapped into.

According to Collins Chabane, a minister in the president’s office, the cabinet has decided to take the step after a study eased safety concerns over the method that had drawn ire from environmentalists.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves pumping of pressurised water, chemicals and sand underground to release gas trapped in rock formations.

Oil major Shell said last year it hoped to invest US$200mn on shale gas exploration in the Karoo and the company welcomed the government's decision.

According to an initial study commissioned by the US energy information administration, South Africa has 485 trillion cu ft of technically recoverable shale gas resources, located mostly in the vast semi-arid Karoo Basin.

The reserves could be a long-term solution for the energy problems of Africa's largest economy, which is under pressure to boost its supply of electricity and cut its dependence on coal, according to the study.

 

 

African Review

Most Read

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Latest news

Dietmar Siersdorfer speaking at Africa Energy Forum in Barcelona. (Image source: Siemens Energy)

The generator set fitted with a Perkins 1103 is providing vital backup power at the St Patrick School in Uganda. (Image source: Perkins)

5G technology deployment will take place later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Spiro will draw from its experience in Kenya, Benin, Togo, Rwanda and Nigeria as it launched in Uganda. (Image source: Spiro)

According to IRENA, concrete policy actions and massive mobilisation of finance at full speed is required in order to meet the 2030 target. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The distributor will hold specialised training and empowerment sessions to enable its channel network to effectively deliver Vertiv’s portfolio, as well as managing inventory to serve the market. (Image source: Vertiv)

The HQ is expected to be completed and handed over by February 2025. (Image source: ECOWAS)

Africa’s share of global manufacturing only sits at around 2% today. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There are numerous but not insurmountable challenges facing Africa's aviation sector, according to IATA. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Africa Energy Forum 2024 was held in the Fira de Montjuïc in Barcelona. (Image source: ACP)

The quality design and manufacture of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa’s panels and enclosures can be suited to any customer requirement wall mounts. (Image source: SEW-EURODRIVE)

African countries will require over US$45bn in the coming eight years to plug the gap in its transmission systems. (Image source: Synergy Consulting)

BII commits US$75mn to second Green Basket Bond with Symbiotics Investments to finance small-scale green projects in Africa, South, and South-East Asia. (Image source:

Transforming Africa's digital economy: Data Centres powering growth, innovation, and sustainability in the digital era. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Linnhoff TSD1500 Asphalt Mixing Plant is undertaking crucial work on two rural road projects in Kenya. (Image source: Lintec & Linnhoff)

Genset BuyersGuide
Construction Buyers Guide