NCOP QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER: 60 ADVANCE NOTICE NO: CW91E
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER:
60. Ms T J Mokwele (North West-EFF) to ask the Minister of Mineral
Resources:
(1) Why is it urgent for the Government to explore for shale gas in
the Karoo in light of the recent development agreement between
Mozambique and a certain company (name and details furnished) to
bring gas to South Africa;
(2) how would the mining of shale gas in the Karoo ensure local
beneficiation of this resource and help industrialise our
country (details furnished), whereas the Government and mining
companies are currently failing to implement the mining charter;
(3) how will the Government ensure that shale gas fracking will not
have detrimental ecological effects (details furnished)?
CW91E
REPLY:
1) The recent discovery of shale gas prospects in the Karoo
formations of South Africa present opportunities for the country
to work towards, inter alia, energy independence as well as cost
competitive energy security, which constitute a natural catalyst
to optimise the socio-economic development of the country.
2) Government will explore all options of localising the
development of shale gas, including gas to liquid processes to
further advance industrialisation of the country through
beneficiation.
3) The Department has in June 2015 gazetted Regulations for
Petroleum Exploration and Production which prescribe mandatory
practices and standards to ensure that shale gas exploration and
production in the Karoo is carried out in an ecologically
sustainable manner. For instance these Regulations prescribe
well design and construction standards that will enhance safe
exploration and production of petroleum and thus promote well
integrity by ensuring that fracturing fluids and hydrocarbons
are contained within the wellbore. In addition, Government is
undertaking research which includes Strategic Environmental
Assessment, the result of which will where necessary be used to
enhance the regulatory framework.
