Mineral & petroleum resources minister Gwede Mantashe is forging ahead with plans to conduct SA’s first large-scale seismic survey in five decades in the south-central Karoo, a process that could lead to fracking activities in the area.
The last time the state went in search of gas in the Karoo Basin was in the 1960s and 1970s when the then state-owned company Southern Oil Exploration Corporation (Soekor) went a similar route — an exercise it abandoned onshore when it made no significant discoveries.
Mantashe on Friday said his department had now concluded a consultation process with affected and interested parties on its previously stated intentions to conduct geophysical surveys in the targeted area.
‘Public concerns addressed’
In a government notice, Mantashe said 62 written comments were received on the mooted surveys, and these were taken into consideration. He was satisfied all concerns regarding the proposed geophysical surveys were taken on board and addressed.
“The department will therefore continue with the airborne magnetic and magnetotelluric surveys, which will be followed by the 2D seismic survey on conclusion of the environmental impact assessment process and related public consultation,” said Mantashe.
“The aim of this investigation is to improve the understanding of the subsurface geology of the Karoo Basin, to further inform the regulatory framework for shale gas exploration and exploitation.
“To promote transparency and ensure effective public participation, stakeholder engagements will continue throughout the project life cycle.”
Mantashe first invited interested parties to comment on his proposals in November 2024, giving members of the public 30 days to share their views on the proposed surveys.
Department cites poor data quality
Historically, reflection seismic data was acquired across the southern part of the Karoo by Soekor from 1966 to 1971, using the technology available at the time. However, the department has said the quality of the data is poor, necessitating the need to acquire new data using modern technology to generate improved and higher-quality images of the subsurface for geological interpretation.
The data from the surveys is expected to assist the government in making decisions about the issuing of exploration rights in the area.
It is estimated the Karoo Basin could hold up to 209-trillion cubic feet of gas, but legal and environmental hurdles remain.
Mantashe in July told MPs that as part of its concerted efforts aimed at lifting the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Karoo Basin, the government had concluded 85% of phase 1 of the shale gas project.
“Phase 2 of the project has officially commenced with the intention to acquire new high-resolution geophysical data using 2D seismic, airborne magnetic and magnetotelluric methods. At least six districts across the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape provinces will be covered in the research study,” he said in his department’s budget vote speech.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his visit to the US earlier this year — as part of efforts to smooth diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Washington — spoke of the government’s intent to co-operate with the US on technologies such as hydraulic fracturing.
The US Energy Information Administration says SA has the eighth-largest technically recoverable shale gas resources in the world.
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