Many countries today, South Africa included, are looking for more eco-friendly energy sources and, for several, natural gas is the energy source of choice. Shale gas is natural gas found in the shale rock, and is derived from underground shale deposits that are broken up by hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the procedure of creating fractures in shale, coal-bed and tight-sand formations by injecting fluid (such as water, oil, or propane) into cracks to force them further open. This enlarges crevices which allow more oil and gas (methane) to flow out of the rock and into the well-bore. From there, the gas can be extracted.1 In September 2013, the South African government lifted a 17 month moratorium on the issuing of licenses to explore the amount of shale gas reserves in the Karoo. With the country entering the exploratory phase of the fracking journey, we see it as a fitting opportunity to examine the developments around fracking in South Africa.

Written by Palesa Ngwenya (née Siphuma), Researcher, Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO)