South Africa may lift Karoo shale exploration ban

Sept. 8, 2012
South Africa’s government appeared ready this week to lift a moratorium on shale gas drilling in the vast Karoo region.

South Africa’s government appeared ready this week to lift a moratorium on shale gas drilling in the vast Karoo region.

The country’s cabinet had backed a Department of Mineral Resources decision to prohibit shale gas drilling in the Karoo in order to study the possible effects of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater (OGJ Online, Apr. 22, 2011).

Press reports said the cabinet had endorsed the department’s recommendation that the ban be lifted and said more details would be forthcoming next week.