Drilling for Gas More Harmful Than Expected

South Africa is still one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with vast unspoilt spaces and rugged wilderness.  This authentic beauty draws millions of tourists yearly to our country, which contributes to job creation and economic growth in a developing third world country.

One of our most treasured landscapes is the Karoo, located in the South West of South Africa. It’s semi-desert, with very little rainfall, yet excellent for sheep farming. Farmers have been living here for centuries, on this flat land with a variety of splendid indigenous plants and wild animals.

The Karoo has now fallen prey to international energy group Shell, which will be exploring shale resources in the Karoo. It means drilling for gas will continue on a large scale and involves nine years of prospecting and more than $200 million will be spent before anything will be determined.  But  reports out of the US suggest dangers to the environment and human health during such a development.  The Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) has reported that they are reviewing the industry and its practices, and some states in the US have banned such exploration. With regards to the water intensive nature of the fracking process, it could have immense impact on water resources in the Karoo, which already has a low rainfall. 

Opposition is now rising in our own country.  Jonathan Deal, the co-coordinator of Treasure the Karoo Action Group, says Shell should exploit South Africa’s unrivalled solar resources before pursuing the drilling of marginal resources in the Karoo.

Shell is nevertheless continuing and promises transparency about their water resource management plan.