SA fracking could move ahead quickly

Compton_effect

Compton_effect

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http://www.news24.com/Green/News/SA-fracking-could-move-ahead-quickly-20130822

Government could authorise shale gas exploration before next year's elections, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Thursday.

"We want to move before the end of this administration," Davies said at a briefing on Thursday, following Cabinet's fortnightly meeting.

"We need to advance the work on taking a decision on shale gas exploration."

Davies said Cabinet believed shale gas could be a vital component in South Africa's quest for energy security, but at this stage the potential extent of local reserves remained unknown.

"Mossgas has a resource of about one trillion cubic metres of gas. The gas fields of Mozambique which have just opened have about a hundred trillion cubic metres of gas, and the shale gas deposit - some of the estimates would suggest that it is multiples of the Mozambican," he said.

"If this was the case, this could be a very, very significant game changer in terms of the energy situation in South Africa."
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Now. Looking at this objectively and ignoring alarmist articles like the one in the Guardian last week. Texas tragedy-ample oil no water
The problem is that Fracking will be a new drain on already extended water supplies.
Yes. It can be reused, yes it can runoff recycled water, yes it would be at such a deep level that it should not affect the water table.
Here's more objective articles on it.
shale-fracking-are-not-the-main-cause-of-texas-water-shortages/
carbon-briefing-could-shale-gas-suck-our-rivers-dry/

But. That is if it is done responsibly.
This is South Africa. We don't do responsibly and sensibly. Look at the entire acid mine water mess. E-tolling. Eskom, Telkom, Arms Deals. The Department of Education just picked up a R700 Million bungle.

There is no real research on what will happen if you inject liquid that deep in the Karoo Basement. Lubricate a fault line or two? Oops. Run out of water in some insignificant towns in the Karoo with names like SkilpadTepel? Oops.

This is going to be a massive mess.
 
Shale gas exploration should not be "rushed through" ahead of next year's general election, a joint statement by Afriforum and the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) said on Friday.

"Government is selling votes with this move, but it is an empty promise," said Afriforum's environmental affairs head Julius Kleynhans.

"Even if government issues the licences, exploration cannot legally proceed. We will not allow our constitutional rights to be breached."

The TKAG agreed.

"We believe that such a decision will have an impact which will endure far beyond the election cycle of the government," said TKAG chairman Jonathan Deal.

"This decision cannot be rushed through before next year's election. It will be completely irresponsible."

On Thursday, Trade and Industry minister Rob Davies said government could authorise shale gas exploration before next year's election.

"We want to move before the end of this administration...We need to advance the work on taking a decision on shale gas exploration," he said at a briefing.

Davies said Cabinet believed shale gas could be a vital component in South Africa's quest for energy security.


Source : Sapa /ma/jje
Date : 23 Aug 2013 08:43 OrigID : LP631336
 
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/frac...-connected-earthquakes-say-studies-6C10604071

Fracking and energy exploration connected to earthquakes, say studies
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Was worries me about fracking. Is the people who sue because their water is contaminated.... win settlements... where they are forced not to discuss the settlement. Thats just dodgy.

543138_10151617922421275_1800810047_n.png
 
unfortunately we need a new source of energy as importing oil is killing our economy and leaving us in the hands of other countries to dictate our fate.

Once we get our own energy supply to more reasonable levels, we will get more investment into the country as well as increase the real value of the rand

personally, I can't wait for this to kick off
 
lucifir said:
unfortunately we need a new source of energy as importing oil is killing our economy and leaving us in the hands of other countries to dictate our fate.

Once we get our own energy supply to more reasonable levels, we will get more investment into the country as well as increase the real value of the rand

personally, I can't wait for this to kick off
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So instead of being smart and building nuke and alternative energy stations and building electric cars, you opt for the backwards way of poisoning our water and making our land unstable. Awesome idea. What could possibly go wrong? Its not like SA needs clean drinking water or stable land.

They way you are thinking and behaving is discussed in this lecture by Richard Dawkins. Its known as the Tragedy of the Commons.

[video=youtube;I71mjZefg8g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I71mjZefg8g[/video]

So sad :(
 
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They're already building new Solar Dynamic plants in the Northern Cape.
Fracking is short sighted and will only profit a few. Do you really think the benefits will trickle down into the economy and that the petrol price will miraculously come down?
 
Compton_effect said:
They're already building new Solar Dynamic plants in the Northern Cape.
Fracking is short sighted and will only profit a few. Do you really think the benefits will trickle down into the economy and that the petrol price will miraculously come down?
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I am not saying fracking is the only solution ... but its one of many ... they already busy with others ... so it would be good to see this kick off as well.
Its bound to trickle down, unless they plan on exporting everything, which I doubt, as we in dire need of energy.

I do not have a full understanding of the concept and its issues, but it seems to be working in other places and with the likes of world leading companies like Sasol, I am sure we can figure out a way to work out the "kinks".

Also, I am sure there are just as many people claiming the unsafe nature of nuclear energy. The thing is, unless we try, we will never know if it can be done safely.
I am not advocating just granting licences and let them have free reign, but for them to start moving on feasibility studies and finding solutions to any problems.
 
Each well requires millions of litres of water - this in the Karoo where water is already a scarce resource.

The possibility of the little water there is being contaminated should be more than enough to make this a non starter.
 
Dawkins aside.
I'm no hippie. The only thing I like about hippies is hippie girls. :whistle:
I'm a realist. Fracking is the modern boogieman. It has its benefits if done right, but. We have a track record of not doing it right.
This is a short-term knee-jerk solution without looking at all the consequences.
 
Compton_effect said:
I'm a realist. Fracking is the modern boogieman. It has its benefits if done right, but. We have a track record of not doing it right
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I definitely tend to agree with you here.

Right now all I hear in SA are far left wailing about the total ruin of our epic water reservoir and breathtakingly beautiful Karoo.
 
Compton_effect said:
They're already building new Solar Dynamic plants in the Northern Cape.
Fracking is short sighted and will only profit a few. Do you really think the benefits will trickle down into the economy and that the petrol price will miraculously come down?
Click to expand...

And those solar plants profit Spain, not SA
 
Compton_effect said:
Dawkins aside.
I'm no hippie. The only thing I like about hippies is hippie girls. :whistle:
I'm a realist. Fracking is the modern boogieman. It has its benefits if done right, but. We have a track record of not doing it right.
This is a short-term knee-jerk solution without looking at all the consequences.
Click to expand...

+1
 
Exactly what is shale gas? Is it some "mineral" that can be processed to produce crude oil?
 
Compton_effect said:
Um. They actually are in a lot of cases. Pit mining is a much more viable option due to lower cost and less risk (Including seismic events). I still have a NDA running, but saw the studies.
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Open pit coal mining is a major environmental hazard. They should stop all those coal pit mines..:D..those coal waste dumps, acid mine drainage and spontaneous combustion
 
cbrunsdonza said:
And those solar plants profit Spain, not SA
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And my uncles company who is doing the inspections on all the contruction work. That's close enough for me. :whistle:

Right now all I hear in SA are far left wailing about the total ruin of our epic water reservoir and breathtakingly beautiful Karoo.
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Funny thing. We actually don't know what the 'breathtakingly beautifull' Karoo looked like before we let all those delicious sheep and goats loose on it. It was no paradise, but there was a lot more plants.
 
Compton_effect said:
Dawkins aside.
I'm no hippie. The only thing I like about hippies is hippie girls. :whistle:
I'm a realist. Fracking is the modern boogieman. It has its benefits if done right, but. We have a track record of not doing it right.
This is a short-term knee-jerk solution without looking at all the consequences.
Click to expand...

Me either. I own two technology companies, my wife is a doctor, I am involved in politics, and probably older and wealthier than abandonallhope.. but yeah. Facts have never got in the way of abandonallhope opinion (as you can see by his opinion on Dawkins). /shrug
 
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