Fracking - Coming to a Karoo Near You

[leachy]

anyone who has not done so......

PLEASE follow this link and sign...........

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/St ... a/?wiQbDbb

you can also join the

"treasure the karoo action group" here.

http://www.treasurethekaroo.co.za/get-involved

[Flutterby]

Done.

[H. erectus]

"We have a responsibility as government to ensure security of energy supply for the country, and to explore energy sources that will improve the country's energy mix, grow the economy and contribute to job creation."

Liars you are, rated we are in the top five least flourishing in the world!!
Nigeria with all it's oil spillage left behind by Shell seems to beat us at
economic level. > gov you are wasting!!!! ,... wasting human energy!!!!

[H. erectus]

I read elsewhere on the billboards today . gov easily
just bought itself into a oil company and 20% there off,...

Just like that!!!!!

[H. erectus]

Guess I will benefit from that, rather me wrap my mouth!!!!!!!

[H. erectus]

TKAG: State is ‘Gullible’ on Fracking
The government needs to involve all parties affected by fracking in a comprehensive and far-reaching study, TKAG said on Thursday.

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People protest against allowing fracking in the Karoo.
"It is beyond embarrassing that the government of the economic powerhouse of Africa can be so gullible," Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) CEO Jonathan Deal said in reference to an Econometrix fracking study by Shell in 2012.

"It is not enough to swallow the promises of companies who gamble with the future of this country while promoting their own profit objectives."

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of fracturing rock by pumping pressurised liquid deep into the ground to extract natural gas trapped in shale layers.

The Econometrix study constructed a macro-economic model to analyse the economic opportunities should a large amount of gas be found in the Karoo.

The TKAG and AfriForum released a peer-reviewed critique of the study on Thursday, which questioned the efficacy of the economic model used.

"No one macro-economic model, and certainly not simple theoretical models, can be used to base policy decisions on," they said.

"Intellectual monopolies in the modelling domain do not lead to better decisions, especially when potentially game-changing shocks to broader socio-economic and ecological systems are anticipated."

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu on Thursday announced the gazetting of technical regulations on shale gas exploration and exploitation, which would allow 30 days for public comment.

She said the proposed regulations prescribed international industry practices and standards, which would ensure exploration was conducted in a "socially and environmentally balanced manner".

A year ago, Cabinet agreed to lift a moratorium on applications to explore for shale gas in the Karoo using fracking.

The decision was based on recommendations contained in a report on shale gas exploration prepared by a technical task team, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said last September.

Shabangu said one of the report's main recommendations was to ensure that the regulatory framework was robust enough to mitigate any negative impact should fracking be approved.

"We have a responsibility as government to ensure security of energy supply for the country, and to explore energy sources that will improve the country's energy mix, grow the economy and contribute to job creation."

[iNdlovu]

You also have a responsibility to run this country according to the wishes of the people that put you in your current place of employment. You have an even bigger responsibility to the citizens of this country and in fact the entire world to ensure that the decisions you make do not harm any of our God given rights to live a life free of pollution, poisons in our water and the destruction of our natural places.
You do not have the right to damage our environment in the name of employment and any other vote garnering claptrap.

[H. erectus]

You do not have the right to damage our environment in the name of employment and any other vote garnering claptrap.

Some food for thought dear custodian, you are wasting human resource
and the betterment thereof!!

When you leave the bigger picture there will be little left
too look at, "bestowed" a park calling for ultimate care in
life!!!

[Lisbeth]

BY: SANDRA GORE AND GARETH HOWARD | 21 OCT 2013 11:56

Two new proposed laws have been published regarding the environmental regulation of fracking, which indicates commencement of such operations is likely to be imminent. These proposed laws come approximately a year after the moratorium on fracking was lifted.


Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Minister of Water Affairs issued a notice on 13 August 2013 of her intention to declare the exploration for and/or production of onshore unconventional oil or gas resources and any activities incidental thereto, including but not limited to, hydraulic fracturing a "controlled activity" under the National Water Act 36 of 1998 ("NWA") (referred to as the "Declaration").

This means the Department of Water Affairs ("DWA") may proclaim fracking as an activity which specifically requires a water use licence ("WUL") before it can lawfully commence. The intention of the Declaration is clearly to allow for greater control and oversight of fracking operations by the DWA.

Companies who wish to undertake fracking will be required to timeously apply to the DWA for a WUL before they can commence their operations.

In addition, on 15 October 2013 the Minister of Mineral Resources (the "Minister") gave notice of her intention to promulgate the Technical Regulations for Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (the "Draft Technical Regulations").

The Department of Mineral Resources ("DMRs") Director-General Thibedi Ramontja, has stated that the final regulations would be published soon after the comment period has expired, although no definite time frame was given. He said the actual physical exploration of shale gas in the Karoo could start soon after the final regulations were published.

The Minister has stated the Draft Technical Regulations aim to augment gaps in the regulatory framework governing onshore and, where relevant, offshore exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources. She has conveyed this will ensure precautions are taken so that fracking operation's possible impacts on biodiversity and water resources are "carefully managed and minimised" and fracking is undertaken in a safe and socially and environmentally balance manner. The polluter pays principle has been included, the Minister said, to ensure the environment is rehabilitated after exploration and exploitation activities.

The Draft Technical Regulations have apparently been based on a comprehensive international benchmarking exercise of well-developed jurisdictions that have begun shale gas exploitation, in particular the American Petroleum Institute's standards.

It proposes certain studies that must be undertaken to assess exploration and production activities' potential environmental impacts ("Impact Prediction Study"). An Impact Prediction Study must be conducted as part of an environmental impact assessment ("EIA") prior to the approval of an exploration or production right. Onerous requirements of what must be included in an Impact Prediction Study are proposed, including inter alia:

characterisation and knowledge of the operation's sources which may result in an impact, including environmental pathways along which such impacts could migrate and receptors that experience impacts;
an assessment of capabilities and limitations of the various approaches and tools that can be used for impact predictions and responses to issues that are agreed with relevant government departments, such as the DMR, to be key questions;
risks and uncertainties inherent in the assessment procedure;
a conceptual model, describing interactions between sources, pathways and receptors;
the appointment of suitably-qualified persons who have access to various appropriate tools and are properly experienced in selecting such tools for any assessments undertaken;
an independent review of the prediction methodology and results;
the design and implementation of an appropriate post-prediction monitoring programme;
a recommendation on the most appropriate management action; and
comprehensive details on the fracking fluids or chemicals that will be utilised and their status as hazardous.

During an Impact Assessment Study, the applicant must interact with the authorities at appropriate stages and reach agreement on the (a) identity of critical receptors; (b) initial and final conceptual models and their underlying assumptions; (c) tools to be used to undertake the impact prediction; and (d) appropriate alternative options to manage any unacceptable impacts.

There are a range of requirements aimed at environmental pollution, covering various phases from site assessment and design to post operation monitoring, including:

onerous reporting duties to the DMR during the pre-commissioning, commissioning, operational, decommissioning and remediation phases;
assessing below ground conditions, including the affected area's geology and geo-hydrology and preparation of a geological overview report;
conducting an in-depth water resource assessment, with a hydro census, baseline and subsequent water quality assessments, and identifying priority water source areas and domestic aquifer supplies. The Council of Geoscience is also required to undertake its own independent water investigations;
assessing potential fracking related seismicity risks and compiling a report with proposed mitigation measures for preventing fracking fluids or chemicals from entering any stressed faults, which must be approved by the Council of Geoscience. On-going micro-seismic monitoring is required;
a fracture containment risk assessment;
protection of radio and optical astronomy advantage areas for the South African Large Telescope and Square Kilometre Array stations, under the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act 21 of 2007, through assessing the operation's potential impacts; consultations with the Ministers of Science and Technology and Mineral Resources; and proclaiming distances from such areas where no fracking operations can occur;
well(s) design, construction, equipment, commissioning, operation, potential modifications, maintenance, examination, suspension and abandonment, to ensure prevention of (a) petroleum and other fluids migrating into any other formation except the targeted formation; (b)_pollution of useable groundwater; and (c) risks to health and safety of persons from it;
ensuring compliance with various casing standards;
criteria for cementation by requiring specified compressive, casing string and formation pressure integrity tests be conducted;
blowout prevention equipment; and
on-going mechanical integrity tests and monitoring for equipment under approved plans.

The Draft Technical Regulations stipulate that the holder of an exploration or production right ("the holder") may not commence with fracking operations before obtaining all necessary authorisations and permits for any activities associated with fracking, including a WUL under the NWA; the Regulations have been complied with and the required plans approved. Some of the additional plans that must be submitted to the DWA and "designated agency" in the DMR include a:

plan for handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of fracking fluids and chemicals, as well as fracking flowback;
waste management plan;
a risk assessment;
well engineering design; and
fracking programme and procedures.

On-going obligations are included relating to water resources protection and management; and management of storm water, waste, spillage, air quality and noise levels. If any of these requirements are not adhered to; or the mechanical integrity of the well is compromised and continued fracking operations pose environmental risks, the holder must comply with the provisions relating to well suspension. This includes immediately notifying the designated agency at the DMR and suspending hydraulic fracturing operations until remedial action has been completed.

A post-fracking report is also required for review by the designated agency.

Members of the public and interested and affected parties are invited to submit written comments to the Minister by no later than 16 November 2013.

The Treasure Karoo Action Group has stated that a court battle over the implementation of the Draft Regulations is inevitable.

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196 ... l#topstory

[Richprins]

Last week Shell indicated that fracking plans in SA have been shelved due to record low oil prices!



Oil dive puts paid to Shell's fracking plans
Mar 16 2015 09:03



Johannesburg - Royal Dutch Shell is pulling back from its shale projects in South Africa due to lower energy prices although it is still seeking an exploration licence for the onshore Karoo basin, its country manager said on Monday.

A more than halving of crude oil prices since June last year has put high cost projects such as shale gas exploration in jeopardy around the globe, Shell South Africa chairperson Bonang Mohale told Johannesburg station Talk Radio 702.

"The reason to go to a low cost holding position... is as a result of a difficult period for world (prices)," Mohale said.

Shell's retreat is a blow to the South African government, which has been criticised by oil firms for delaying issuing exploration licences, most notably in the Karoo, which is believed to hold up to 390 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable reserves.

Shell has been waiting for six years for an exploration licence.

"What is of concern is regulatory uncertainty," Mohale said. "We have waited inordinately long for licences."

Green groups and landowners in the Karoo have argued that exploring for shale by fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, would cause huge environmental damage


http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Oil-dive-p ... s-20150316