Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
shale gaslatest news & developments
The government has rolled out a five-year roadmap to safeguard South Africa’s 3 592km coastline while unlocking its potential for equitable prosperity, climate resilience and ecological health.

Shell v Wild Coast: Science, research and erring on the side of caution

Court applicants have argued that the company should be required to conduct an environmental impact assessment, based on the best available science, which has advanced…

Powerships ‘a climate threat’

The decision to use Turkey’s floating power plants locks the country into fossil fuels for 20 years

Drilling for water in the Karoo where one major concern from fracking is that groundwater will be affected in the shale gas extraction process.

Groundwater maps could help South Africa prepare for safer fracking

A vulnerability map could help assess the risks associated with fracking and groundwater which around 300 towns depend on in South Africa’s Karoo

Women are at the bottom of the pile when policies are designed without them. Photo: File

​Court throws out fracking application for KZN

A procedural failure on the part of government has meant a further delay for attempts to get gas out from under 15 000 farms in KwaZulu-Natal.

Pump it up: In the United States fracking went ahead before there were enough laws in place to monitor it.

‘Give SA its own fracking agency’

South Africa has adopted a softly-softly approach to shale gas exploration.

Shale oil has sparked an energy boom in the US.

BHP write-down reveals fragile state of shale

The size of BHP Billiton’s $2.8bn write-down for its US shale assets took some banks by surprise – at least two thought it was too small.

Shale oil has sparked an energy boom in the US.

Oil price plummets to three-year low

The oil price has fallen by more than 20% from June. Saudi Arabia responded by cutting its price further on low demand and increased shale production.

‘The environmental impacts of fracking must be regulated by the appropriate competent authority … with appropriate resources

Who will monitor the environmental fallout from fracking?

Critics say that plans for the department of mineral resources to monitor the impact of shale gas operations has put it at odds with its own mandate.

Emissions from fracking gas half that of coal, says study

A new meta-study has found that the life-time greenhouse gas emissions of shale gas, extracted through fracking, are half that of coal.

South Africa has an estimated 390-trillion cubic feet in technically recoverable

Carbon tax delayed, fracking favoured in Gordhan’s Budget

The 2014 Budget has delayed the carbon tax, punted shale gas, budgeted for more independent energy, and asked that mines help fix acid mine drainage.

Irrigated farmland near Nieu-Bethesda. Critics say fracking would put extreme pressure on the Karoo’s water resources.

New reality alters energy plans

Hydro power and gas in nearby countries have brought about a shift in South Africa’s schemes.

As the Karoo hopes for an end to its worst drought in a generation, the region’s history may hold important lessons for its future.

Karoo fracking: Water, wealth and whites

The sparse and evocative Karoo, a place for artists and soil-tillers, may soon become a place for geologists, scientists, and fracking.

Women are at the bottom of the pile when policies are designed without them. Photo: File

Government: Companies must disclose fracking fluids

SA government has proposed that companies involved in fracking disclose the chemicals used and adhere to American Petroluem Institute standards.

Some environmental organisations have protested against fracking in South Africa. (David Harrison, M&G)

Frackers will need to apply for a water licence, says Molewa

The rhetoric around fracking is building as Water Minister Edna Molewa issued a notice of her intention to declare fracking a "controlled activity".

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface from California’s Monterey shale formation. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Gas changes the energy landscape

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe says shale gas could be a game changer for South Africa.

Britain pumped up by shale gas reserves

Report suggests that UK can supply energy for 25 years.

Besides shale gas

Gas needs to be at centre of debate

South Africa’s energy plans need to take account of the pros and cons of using various types of gas.

A gas flare burns at a fracking site in rural Bradford County

Shale gas energises government

Despite severe criticism from environmentalists, the state is punting shale gas as a greener way to secure South Africa’s future electricity supply.

Celebrity showbiz tactics leave us in the fracking dark

Celebrity showbiz tactics leave us in the fracking dark

Anti-fracking lobby group gets celebrity to be the face of its campaign.

English tremors blamed on shale fracking

English tremors blamed on shale fracking

A company using hydraulic fracturing to release natural gas from shale rock said the technique probably did trigger earth tremors in April and May.