The south african economy is highly dependent upon commercial and domestic energy needs company eskom, is dominated by coal as the primary energy resource. Request pdf deflating the shale gas potential of south africa s main karoo basin the main karoo basin has been identified as a potential source of shale gas i. A small producer and strong oil and gas importer south africa has small hydrocarbon resources relative to its energy needs. But its waters may be hiding future giant oil and gas discoveries potentially capable of. Stability, poverty reduction and south african trade and investment in southern africa, discusses how south african investment and trade patterns associated with the expansion of the mineralsenergy complex mec and other oligopolistic industries shape the system of accumulation in mozambique.
Natural gas 0 200 400 600 800 1200 1400 1600 1800 p r o v e n r e s e r v e s t c f natural gas proven reserves. Unpacking the issues around fracking in south africa. Gas production in africa vs rest of the world growth in natural gas reserves gas consumption in africa gas consumption in africa has been growing at a rate of about 6% per year since 2000. Shale gas 7 executive summary 9 the shale gas revolution 9 shale gas in the united states 10 the production of shale gas 10 environmental issues associated with shale gas production 11 0. Shale gas and its implications for africa and the african. South africa upstream summary report wood mackenzie. Offshore south and east africa oil and gas activity map to 2022, supported by saoga, will see its major release at key south and east african oil and gas exhibitions in 2016 advertising is now open. The 2014 budget has delayed the carbon tax, punted shale gas, budgeted for more independent energy, and asked that. Sep 28, 2017 on whether the latest very low estimates signal the end of shale gas exploration in south africa, deal says.
The potential economic and energy security opportunities of a medium to large shale gas resource could be substantial for south africa. South africa which has the eighth biggest reserve of shale gas in the world has the potential to become a major unconventional gas producer and should persevere despite the current low prices since gas is a longterm game, world energy council secretary general christoph frei said in a. South africa commits to shale gas despite adverse court. Technically recoverable shale oil and shale gas resources eia. Assessment of shale gas resources of the karoo province, south africa and lesotho, africa, 2016 introduction the u. Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the. Initial south african shalegas resource estimates are substantial but subject to great uncertainty. Dec 19, 2017 south africa has been considering shale gas development in the karoo region.
The company was the first to provide light and heat to communities across southern africa. South africa will increasingly need to import yet more energy oil, gas and electricity as it continues to export high value quality coal. Gas is imported into south africa via the mozambique transmission pipeline, subject to the licensing regime under the gas act, in terms of which trading and. Pdf the governance of shale gas production in south africa. South africa does not have this advantage and this does influence the economics of shale gas exploration, for a start. Pdf shale gas characteristics of permian black shales. In aggregate, this is an area of approximately 183,000km2 with potential for shale gas. The latest map showing current exploration activities in south africa. Sas economic future lies in oil and gas zwane fin24. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree. South africa plans to add more natural gas, renewables to. The main layers which may contain gas are 4 the whitehill, collingham and prince albert formations, which occur at the base of the ecca 5 group. As the first country to reverse a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing more commonly known as fracking south africa is now poised to move forward with the controversial process, exploring what experts believe to be the eighth largest shale gas reserve in the world. Strategic environmental assessment sea for shale gas.
The offshore south and east africa oil and gas activity map to 2022 is supported by our media partner saoga south african oil and gas alliance and is scheduled for publication in october 2016. South africa has adopted a softlysoftly approach to shale gas exploration. South africas geological karoo basin, which covers an area of 700 000 km2, is known to. With the department of mineral resources dmr lifting its 18month moratorium on exploration in the karoo, the flame is now reignited in the rush for south africas hydrocarbon riches. Toward a science action plan from 31 august 1 september 2017 in port elizabeth, hosted by assaf. To discuss south africas lifting of a moratorium on shale gas exploration in the karoo region, abns samantha loring speaks with jonathon deal. While debate about hydraulic fracturing for shale gas in the karoo continues to grab the media spotlight, the broader. Types associated gas natural gas from crude oil wells. The econometrix report further illustrates that the exploitation of the shale gas reserves would lead to an economic growth of about 9.
Jul 14, 2017 unpacking the issues around fracking in south africa. Nov 06, 20 the econometrix report further illustrates that the exploitation of the shale gas reserves would lead to an economic growth of about 9. Office, department of energy, of south africa on its gas utilization master plan study. Resource estimates change as extraction technologies improve, as markets evolve, and as oil and natural gas are produced. Gog gulf of guinea gom gulf of mexico idc industrial developmet corporation intsok intsok the norwegian oil and gas partners was established in 1997 by the. Top ten countries naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane ch4, typically with 020% higher hydrocarbons primarily ethane. Identified need for research plan for shale gas exploration and development. What is the experience and impact of south african trade. Assessment of shalegas resources of the karoo province, south africa and lesotho, africa, 2016 introduction the u.
The southern africa development community was created in 1980 with the aim of coordinating development projects to lessen economic dependence on south africa. South africa karoo shale gas deposits seen less than earlier. Sasol has been working on processes to convert coal and gas into liquids since the 1950s, when it started production to supply synthetic fuels in apartheid south africa. Extrapolating the old soekor gas data, the us eia identified three ecca shale formations in south africa the whitehill, the prince albert and the collingham formations. South africas upstream oil and natural gas sectors are dominated by the stateowned company petroleum oil and gas corporation of south africa petrosa, while the downstream oil sector is more diversified and includes companies from europe, north. When first discovered in the karoo last year, shale gas was described as a game changer in south africa s desperate search for energy sources and infrastructure. Technically recoverable shale oil and shale gas resources. Assessment of shalegas resources of the karoo province, south. Promotion and regulation of oil and gas exploration and production in south africa 2. Sep 28, 2017 south africas government said in may it might award its first shale gas exploration licences by the end of september, after environmental objections delayed the process.
Download the high resolution pdf map poster display showing exploration opportunities and activities in south africa. This paper is prepared from the script for the presentation at the south africa gas options conference held on october 35, 2016 in cape town, republic of south africa. While debate about hydraulic fracturing for shale gas in the karoo continues to grab the media spotlight, the broader discourse about the role of gas in south africas energy mix. Scientific assessment of shale gas development in south africa.
South africa says shale gas exploration to begin in next. African natural gas consumption is estimated to have been about 110 bcm in 2011, with egypt and algeria leading consumption totals and accounting for. It is in this context that the southern africa development community may well need to play a pivotal enabling role for natural gas in the future in the region. Oil and gas reserves in south africa department of energy.
Aug 03, 2017 gas is imported into south africa via the mozambique transmission pipeline, subject to the licensing regime under the gas act, in terms of which trading and distribution licences must be obtained. Sasol goes cold on converting gas and coal to liquids. National and global petroleum assessment assessment of shale. Feb 06, 20 to discuss south africa s lifting of a moratorium on shale gas exploration in the karoo region, abns samantha loring speaks with jonathon deal, chairman of treasure karoo action group, and bonang. When first discovered in the karoo last year, shale gas was described as a game changer in south africas desperate search for energy sources and infrastructure. Pdf the potential economic and energy security opportunities of a medium to large shale gas resource could be substantial for south africa. The new offshore south and east africa oil and gas map will present current and future oil and gas fields and their associated infrastructure. Framework to assess the economic reality of shale gas in south africa.
It will be launched by both infield systems and saoga at high profile regional oil and gas events in africa. The execution of this sea is mandated by the south african cabinet, with the department of environmental affairs dea as the responsible department. Primary energy resources in south africa the objective of this section of the report is to provide a summary understanding of energy usage in south africa. Shale gas development in the central karoo strategic. South africas land is known for its resources such as platinum, gold, diamonds, copper and coal. Mar 08, 2016 south africas semidesert karoo region is believed to hold at least 485 trillion cubic feet of shale gas, but drilling has been delayed by environmental and economic concerns. Summary for policy makers spm, page 4 1 2 figure spm 1. Environmental affairs to undertake a strategic environmental assessment sea for shale gas development in south africa. Geological survey usgs completed an assessment of continuous unconventional shalegas resources within the karoo province fig. Shale gas and south africas challenge of meeting the. Ewt perspective on shale gas in south africa the endangered. Consequently, the oil and gas industry, researchers, and government agencies spend. Mozambiquesouth africa gas pipeline report summary the 865kilometre mozambiquesouth africa gas pipeline was built to transport gas from the pande and temane fields in mozambique to sasols industrial customers in south africa, including the secunda and sasolburg petrochemical plants. Pdf shale gas characteristics of permian black shales ecca.
Pdf the proper governance of shale gas mining in the karoo region of south africa is important. Energy information administration technically recoverable shale oil and shale gas resources 4 ahead of time. South africa karoo shale gas deposits seen less than. The countrys entire production comes from the petrosaoperated block 9 em, fa and fo and south coast gas fields, located offshore on the southern coast in the outeniqua basin. The additional supplies of gas from such sources have the potential to lower international gas prices and to increase the consumption of natural gas, partly at the expense of coal, thus. The southern africa development community was created in 1980 with the aim of coordinating development projects to. Energy information administration technically recoverable shale oil and shale gas resources i. South africas semidesert karoo region is believed to hold at least 485 trillion cubic feet of shale gas, but drilling has been delayed by environmental and economic concerns. Eia estimated there were 390trillion cubic feet of shale gas reserves in south africa although there are a number of varying estimates.
Oct 19, 2017 south africa s mineral resources minister said on thursday the government remains committed to shale gas exploration despite a court order revoking fracking regulations that pushes back plans to. Toward a science action plan 31 august 1 september 2017 boardwalk conference centre, port elizabeth day 2 start item individual min 08. Geological survey usgs completed an assessment of continuous unconventional shale gas resources within the karoo province fig. Recent experience with shale gas and tight oil in the united states and other. South africas mineral resources minister said on thursday the government remains committed to shale gas exploration despite a court order revoking fracking regulations that. Seismic events 11 0 lupun huk ahypun vm nhz shale gas in africa 12. With the availability of natural gas in neighbouring countries, such as mozambique and namibia, and the discovery of offshore gas reserves in south africa, the gas industry in south africa is undergoing rapid expansion. The challenges associated with developing africas vast natural gas resources are real, and careful consideration is needed in terms of how best to achieve the objectives of socioeconomic and infrastructural development.
Shell south africa is part of the royal dutch shell group and began trading in south africa in 1902, focusing on paraffin and kerosene. A schematic diagram of the geology of the study area on a south west to north east transect 3 between the nuweveldberge and the stormberge. Deflating the shale gas potential of south africas main. A 2011 report by the iea international energy agency expounded on the many positives of the future of natural gas. Potential impact on international investment in south. National and global petroleum assessment assessment of. Fracking could devastate south africas water supply.
Mozambiquesouth africa gas pipeline report wood mackenzie. Karoo shale gas report report by econometrix centre for. Offshore south and east africa oil and gas activity map to. Current development of regional gas fields will lead to natural gas becoming a more important fuel in south africa. South africa says shale gas exploration to begin in next 12. Pages in category oil and gas companies of south africa the following 8 pages are in this category, out of 8 total. Offshore south and east africa oil and gas activity map to 2022. South africas government said in may it might award its first shale gas exploration licences by the end of september, after environmental objections delayed the process.
Geological survey usgs completed an assessment of continuous unconventional shalegas. Archiving all data under department of mineral resources headed by hon. On whether the latest very low estimates signal the end of shale gas exploration in south africa, deal says. There are still vested interests that have built up this.
This study involves a comprehensive and detailed lithological, sedimentalogical, structural and geochemical description of the lower ecca group in the eastern cape, south africa. South africa s stateowned electricity firm, eskom, also added largescale wind and hydropower facilities since 2015 and currently operates 3. South africa has been considering shale gas development in the karoo region. Potential estimates of the shale gas resource vary drastically from the original 390 tcfg, proposed in 20 by the us energy information administration, reaching as high as 480 tcfg by the department of natural resources south africa, and back down to far more conservative estimates. Potential impact on international investment in south africa. Studies indicate that south africa alone consumes about 610 000 barrels of oil a day and that the exploitation of the shale gas reserves in the karoo. The future of shale gas in south africa karoo space. Current development of regional gasfields will lead to natural gas becoming a more important fuel in south africa. The gas, will be expensive to explore and extract, will be used as part of the countrys energy mix.