Possible
environmental effects on fracking exploration of gas in South Africa’s Karoo
region
Not only is Shell a filling
station for vehicle owners, the company is also involved in Retail and
Commercial Fuels, Lubricants and Oils, Chemicals, Manufacturing and Upstream
Exploration. Shell also has application rights for Shale gas exploration (fracking) rights in the Karoo (http://www.shell.com).
According to (http://www.enviropaedia.com), fracking is “the process of drilling
wells, pumping high pressure liquid into them, forcing gaps to open in the
rocks, allowing the gas to escape. This gas is called Shale gas or Natural gas.
“This gas can be used for
electricity. It consists of mostly methane gas, which is an odourless,
colourless greenhouse gas. This gas may be cleaner burning than coal or oil. Other
chemicals produced from fracking include: toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene,
anti-freeze, diesel fuel, moth ball compounds, boric acid and poly nuclear
organic hydrocarbons (http://www.treasurethekaroo.co.za).
About 20 million litres of
water and thousands of litres of chemicals are used for one frack per well.
There can be as many as 10 pads in a development, and 32 wells on a pad (http://www.treasurethekaroo.co.za).
In an area where there is a shortage of water, fracking, which uses millions of
litres of water, will become a problem.
Natural gas productions come
with health concerns, which include mild infections and cancer in humans and
cattle. There is a risk of chemical spills, gas leaks and ground water
contamination. The vapours that escape cause air pollution and the toxic water
that is pumped into the rocks can leak and contaminate our already scarce
underground water (http://www.treasurethekaroo.co.za).
(Karoo Space Magazine; 2013)
reported that on 28 July 2012, Global Anti-fracking Day, farmers, farm workers,
townspeople, Khoi-san, representatives, school children, environmental
activists, economists, climate change campaigners, ground water scientists and
bikers held protests and rallies in the Nieu Bethesda village against Fracking.
According to the article, farmers and farm workers are worried about how
fracking is going to affect them. Not only might they lose their jobs but they
are also worried about losing their homes. They are worried about their future
as farmers and the future of their children.
On 12 September 2012, (http://www.southafrica.info)
reported that Mineral Minister Susan Shabangu said that the government will
stop fracking in the Karoo if it proves to be a risk to the water cables and
the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Telescope project. We can only hope for what
is best for the Karoo and its people.
Will I continue refilling my
petrol tank at Shell? I am not so sure anymore. Here is a video on Fracking:
Sources consulted
Enviropaedia: Rethinking Reality. 2013. Fracking and gas extraction [online].
<Available> http://www.enviropaedia.com/topic/default.php?topic_id=297
[Accessed: 27 February 2013]
Karoo Space Magazine. 2013. Karoo fracking threat unites communities [online].
<Available> http://www.karoospace.co.za/karoo-space-magazine/talking-point/125-karoo-fracking-threat-
[Accessed: 27 February 2013]
Shell Global. 2013. The
energy challenge [online]. <Available> http://www.shell.com/zaf/aboutshell/energy-challenge.html
[Accessed: 27 February 2013]
SouthAfrica.info. 2012. Fracking: ‘water, SKA integrity first’ [online]. <Available> http://www.southafrica.info/about/sustainable/fracking-120912.htm
[Accessed: 01 March 2013]
Treasure Karoo Action Group. 2013. Fracking facts [online]. <Available> http://www.treasurethekaroo.co.za/fracking-facts
[Accessed: 01 March 2013]
Well done!
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