Horizontal hydraulic fracturing is a drilling and stimulation technique used to mine shale gas.
It involves pumping vast volumes of water, sand and chemicals into horizontally drilled wells
under great pressure to create cracks in the rock layer to release trapped gas.
FRACKING IS UNSUSTAINABLE • WATER THIRSTY • DAMAGES THE ENVIRONMENT
Press Release
“Karoo lobby group criticizes statements by Energy Minister” May 16, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
May 16 2012
Karoo lobby group criticizes statements by Energy Minister
Responding to an article by Donwald Pressley, published in Business Report, May 16, TKAG chairman, Jonathan Deal said that the statements by Minister Peters were short on facts and long on assumptions.
“Minister Peters appears to be of the impression that the Department of Science and Technology has developed a method of shale gas mining that will facilitate fracking without environmental damage and water pollution. This notion is difficult to comprehend, especially in the face of growing international resistance to fracking, which is now banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in more than 140 places, with Czech Republic Germany and Romania presently considering two-year moratoria on exploration whilst they investigate the technology. The US state of Vermont is also poised to outlaw the process”, said Deal.
Addressing the Minister’s statements, reputedly made at an oil and gas conference on May 15, Deal asserted that the Minister appeared to be simply repeating what had been told to South Africans by Royal Dutch Shell and the oil and gas lobby about shale gas mining. “The reality is that not one of the considerable ancillary risks and costs to South Africa, from shale gas mining have been appropriately addressed by our government in their increasingly frequent utterances on fracking. There has been no public attempt whatsoever to quantify the long term costs (of fracking) to this country,” he said.
“Tourism, damage to roads and traffic control, agriculture, health, environmental monitoring and enforcement and jobs lost due to displaced rural workers seem to be issues that our government is willing to overlook in their rush to set fracking loose in South Africa. By focusing on water as the single issue and extolling energy and revenue benefits, our leaders appear to be deliberately ignoring these critical concerns which are unanswered in other countries,” added Deal.
“As far as we are aware, there is no honest explanation from our government or Royal Dutch Shell, as to why tens of millions of people in other countries, represented by their governments, choose to forego the so-called benefits of fracking. Until governments around the world, including our own Ministers, can answer this question conclusively it is our view that fracking should remain under a moratorium in SA,” concluded Deal.
/ends
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd, on behalf of Treasure Karoo Action Group.
For information, please contact: Jonathan Deal, chairman: TKAG
natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za Tel: 023 358 9902 / 076 838 5150
May 16 2012
Karoo lobby group criticizes statements by Energy Minister
Responding to an article by Donwald Pressley, published in Business Report, May 16, TKAG chairman, Jonathan Deal said that the statements by Minister Peters were short on facts and long on assumptions.
“Minister Peters appears to be of the impression that the Department of Science and Technology has developed a method of shale gas mining that will facilitate fracking without environmental damage and water pollution. This notion is difficult to comprehend, especially in the face of growing international resistance to fracking, which is now banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in more than 140 places, with Czech Republic Germany and Romania presently considering two-year moratoria on exploration whilst they investigate the technology. The US state of Vermont is also poised to outlaw the process”, said Deal.
Addressing the Minister’s statements, reputedly made at an oil and gas conference on May 15, Deal asserted that the Minister appeared to be simply repeating what had been told to South Africans by Royal Dutch Shell and the oil and gas lobby about shale gas mining. “The reality is that not one of the considerable ancillary risks and costs to South Africa, from shale gas mining have been appropriately addressed by our government in their increasingly frequent utterances on fracking. There has been no public attempt whatsoever to quantify the long term costs (of fracking) to this country,” he said.
“Tourism, damage to roads and traffic control, agriculture, health, environmental monitoring and enforcement and jobs lost due to displaced rural workers seem to be issues that our government is willing to overlook in their rush to set fracking loose in South Africa. By focusing on water as the single issue and extolling energy and revenue benefits, our leaders appear to be deliberately ignoring these critical concerns which are unanswered in other countries,” added Deal.
“As far as we are aware, there is no honest explanation from our government or Royal Dutch Shell, as to why tens of millions of people in other countries, represented by their governments, choose to forego the so-called benefits of fracking. Until governments around the world, including our own Ministers, can answer this question conclusively it is our view that fracking should remain under a moratorium in SA,” concluded Deal.
/ends
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd, on behalf of Treasure Karoo Action Group.
For information, please contact: Jonathan Deal, chairman: TKAG
natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za Tel: 023 358 9902 / 076 838 5150
"Global shale gas moratoriums increase while SA Minister procrastinates" May, 9 2012
“While our government is scrambling to produce a secret document on which this country may make a potentially irreversible decision on shale gas mining ‘fracking’, international sentiment is increasing against the technology. Fracking is banned, or under some form of moratorium or restriction in more than 140 places around the world.” These were the words of TKAG chair, Jonathan Deal who was reacting to a report published May 8 in Moneyweb. According to Moneyweb, the Minister has stated that she intends to submit the report on shale gas mining to Cabinet in July.
“It appears to TKAG, that the Minister has misunderstood the instructions of Cabinet in August 2011, when Cabinet in an unequivocal statement instructed the Minister to [L]ead a multi disciplinary team including the Departments of Trade & Industry , Science and Technology, amongst others, to fully research the full implications of the proposed fracking.” The original team chosen by the Minister does not give effect to the expectation of a ‘multi-disciplinary team’ as it excluded Ministries whose input is critical to a thorough investigation into the costs and benefits of shale gas mining. Departments such as Health, Transport, Agriculture, Tourism, Rural Development, and initially, even Environmental Affairs were excluded. We also have grave reservations about the time period in which Minister Shabangu purports to have completed the investigation, the scientific expertise of the team, the amount of research conducted and the areas of research and scientific data applied,” said Deal.
“America, is taking four years to complete a similar investigation, the second time around. We are puzzled as to how SA can accomplish this in much less than a year, sans essential input from directly affected departments, and from the other side of the Atlantic. The manner in which this process is being managed and the fact that TKAG had to sue the Minister for information to which any citizen was entitled, is causing our apprehension of the Shell – ANC link to increase.”
During 2012 Shell released various reports to the public which made claims regarding alleged public opinion, and of claimed vast benefits to SA from shale gas mining. Commenting on the reports Deal said “The Minister must surely be aware that her department must issue or decline exploration licences on the facts contained within the written applications of Shell, Bundu and Falcon – these reports are not only biased and inaccurate, they are premature and should be ignored. TKAG has repeatedly requested a thorough cost-benefit analysis of shale gas mining for SA. This process cannot ignore knock-on costs to roads, health, tourism and other revenue centres as well as the sustainable value of our agricultural sector and the rand value and scarcity of drinking water. We deplore the lack of transparency and the narrow focus of Minister Shabangu in managing a process of such import to present and future South Africans”
/ends
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Treasure Karoo Action Group.Tel: 021 462 0416/ 079 500 1503 For information, please contact: Jonathan Deal Chairman: TKAG
natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za Tel: 076 838 5150/ 023 358 9902
“It appears to TKAG, that the Minister has misunderstood the instructions of Cabinet in August 2011, when Cabinet in an unequivocal statement instructed the Minister to [L]ead a multi disciplinary team including the Departments of Trade & Industry , Science and Technology, amongst others, to fully research the full implications of the proposed fracking.” The original team chosen by the Minister does not give effect to the expectation of a ‘multi-disciplinary team’ as it excluded Ministries whose input is critical to a thorough investigation into the costs and benefits of shale gas mining. Departments such as Health, Transport, Agriculture, Tourism, Rural Development, and initially, even Environmental Affairs were excluded. We also have grave reservations about the time period in which Minister Shabangu purports to have completed the investigation, the scientific expertise of the team, the amount of research conducted and the areas of research and scientific data applied,” said Deal.
“America, is taking four years to complete a similar investigation, the second time around. We are puzzled as to how SA can accomplish this in much less than a year, sans essential input from directly affected departments, and from the other side of the Atlantic. The manner in which this process is being managed and the fact that TKAG had to sue the Minister for information to which any citizen was entitled, is causing our apprehension of the Shell – ANC link to increase.”
During 2012 Shell released various reports to the public which made claims regarding alleged public opinion, and of claimed vast benefits to SA from shale gas mining. Commenting on the reports Deal said “The Minister must surely be aware that her department must issue or decline exploration licences on the facts contained within the written applications of Shell, Bundu and Falcon – these reports are not only biased and inaccurate, they are premature and should be ignored. TKAG has repeatedly requested a thorough cost-benefit analysis of shale gas mining for SA. This process cannot ignore knock-on costs to roads, health, tourism and other revenue centres as well as the sustainable value of our agricultural sector and the rand value and scarcity of drinking water. We deplore the lack of transparency and the narrow focus of Minister Shabangu in managing a process of such import to present and future South Africans”
/ends
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Treasure Karoo Action Group.Tel: 021 462 0416/ 079 500 1503 For information, please contact: Jonathan Deal Chairman: TKAG
natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za Tel: 076 838 5150/ 023 358 9902
"Karoo group cautions NPC on fracking" March 15, 2012
The National Planning Commission is wrong to consider mining for shale gas in the Karoo when there are more viable, known gas deposits to be exploited, which will be far less threatening to the environment.
This is the view of TKAG Chairman, Jonathan Deal, in response to a report by Minister Trevor Manuel that the NPC saw natural gas providing a rising share of the energy mix.
"Natural gas undoubtedly has a role to play in the energy mix of South Africa. Deposits such as the 2.5tcf (trillion cubic feet) held by Forest Exploration International off South Africa’s west coast is a prime example of a supply that could keep the Western Cape in gas for decades. "
"And this is miniscule compared to the reported finds off Mozambique", he added.
"And Royal Dutch Shell are making plans to explore off-shore in the Orange River basin"
According to Deal, "The point is that South Africa has a viable alternative to fracking. Offshore, natural gas can be developed faster and bypass the plethora of strategic and environmental issues that are facing proponents of shale gas mining”.
“TKAG met with the NPC in February and highlighted a number of concerns in relation to the debate on whether or not it would be in the interests of SA to pursue this technology. Notwithstanding any other of the issues raised at this meeting, the inescapable fact that Minister Shabangu’s task team has taken less than 6 months to complete an investigation that is taking America four years, militates against the issue of exploration licences in SA.”
"Our Cabinet promised in April 2011 that ‘the full implications’ of shale gas mining would be ‘fully investigated’ and that ‘clean environment together with all the ecological aspects will not be compromised’.
“It would be irresponsible of any person with an understanding of the real facts of shale gas mining to stand by and permit the technology to be licensed in this country until a thorough strategic evaluation and a cost-benefit analysis have been completed”.
"Even Shell’s own consultants recommended that no decision should be made before the Americans had decided in their own country”, concluded Deal.
This is the view of TKAG Chairman, Jonathan Deal, in response to a report by Minister Trevor Manuel that the NPC saw natural gas providing a rising share of the energy mix.
"Natural gas undoubtedly has a role to play in the energy mix of South Africa. Deposits such as the 2.5tcf (trillion cubic feet) held by Forest Exploration International off South Africa’s west coast is a prime example of a supply that could keep the Western Cape in gas for decades. "
"And this is miniscule compared to the reported finds off Mozambique", he added.
"And Royal Dutch Shell are making plans to explore off-shore in the Orange River basin"
According to Deal, "The point is that South Africa has a viable alternative to fracking. Offshore, natural gas can be developed faster and bypass the plethora of strategic and environmental issues that are facing proponents of shale gas mining”.
“TKAG met with the NPC in February and highlighted a number of concerns in relation to the debate on whether or not it would be in the interests of SA to pursue this technology. Notwithstanding any other of the issues raised at this meeting, the inescapable fact that Minister Shabangu’s task team has taken less than 6 months to complete an investigation that is taking America four years, militates against the issue of exploration licences in SA.”
"Our Cabinet promised in April 2011 that ‘the full implications’ of shale gas mining would be ‘fully investigated’ and that ‘clean environment together with all the ecological aspects will not be compromised’.
“It would be irresponsible of any person with an understanding of the real facts of shale gas mining to stand by and permit the technology to be licensed in this country until a thorough strategic evaluation and a cost-benefit analysis have been completed”.
"Even Shell’s own consultants recommended that no decision should be made before the Americans had decided in their own country”, concluded Deal.
"Demand to "shelve" shale gas fracking - for now" March 6, 2012
“We call on Minister Shabangu, to indefinitely extend the moratorium on shale gas mining, and on Royal Dutch Shell, Bundu and Falcon Oil & Gas to shelve their plans for shale gas mining at this time pending a thorough and inclusive strategic environmental assessment, underpinned by a detailed cost-benefit analysis.”
This was the call from South African lobby, Treasure Karoo Action Group.
Chairman, Jonathan Deal stated that TKAG would not accept a ‘rushed investigation into fracking’, pressured by Shell propaganda. “Assertions that shale gas will solve South Africa’s energy, employment and Greenhouse Gas emissions, are subject to scientific controversy and ought to be thoroughly tested,” he said.
“In April last year, our Cabinet issued Minister Shabangu with unequivocal instructions with regard to fracking, and we expect the Minister to give effect to those instructions. The status quo in parts of America and other countries where fracking is banned, or under various restrictions and moratoria demands serious consideration – to the extent that South Africa should not licence a process that is itself under investigation in countries where it is underway. In the event that Minister Shabangu issues exploration licences under the current status quo, we will look to the courts for protection.”
This was the call from South African lobby, Treasure Karoo Action Group.
Chairman, Jonathan Deal stated that TKAG would not accept a ‘rushed investigation into fracking’, pressured by Shell propaganda. “Assertions that shale gas will solve South Africa’s energy, employment and Greenhouse Gas emissions, are subject to scientific controversy and ought to be thoroughly tested,” he said.
“In April last year, our Cabinet issued Minister Shabangu with unequivocal instructions with regard to fracking, and we expect the Minister to give effect to those instructions. The status quo in parts of America and other countries where fracking is banned, or under various restrictions and moratoria demands serious consideration – to the extent that South Africa should not licence a process that is itself under investigation in countries where it is underway. In the event that Minister Shabangu issues exploration licences under the current status quo, we will look to the courts for protection.”
"TKAG rejects Economic report on shale gas" March 3, 2012
Responding to a press release from Econometrix on the assumed benefits of shale gas for South Africa, TKAG Chair, Jonathan Deal, described the report as poorly researched in respect of the holistic facts on shale gas mining and lacking in substance. “The fact that this report has been commissioned by Shell earnestly dents the credibility of the document. Shell, at the same time that they were telling the South African public how open, honest and transparent they are, were cited for 37 environmental violations at fracking sites in Pennsylvania between February and August last year,” he said.
“It is remarkable that in the light of current scientific and economic controversy in the US around the so-called cost-benefits of shale gas, Econometrix have the confidence to assume this position. The findings are lacking in balance to the extent that one must call the objectivity and credibility of the analysis into question”.
“Nowhere is there a reference to jobs that may be lost due to mining activity. The study lists knock-on benefits, but does not make any attempt to quantify the knock-on costs to South Africans – relating to damaged road infrastructure, health remediation costs, pollution remediation and environmental monitoring and enforcement of standards – to mention a few areas.”
“If this report were to be taken seriously, South Africa’s energy, employment and Green House Gas emissions challenges are a thing of the past. Interestingly, the team at Sasol appear to disagree with these findings – the global fuel company withdrew last November, from plans to frack in South Africa, stating that in their opinion “shale gas is twenty years too early in SA,” argued Deal.
In closing, Deal said that; “TKAG has been calling for a thorough cost-benefit analysis framed in a strategic environmental assessment since the advent of applications by Shell et al. It should be remembered that the legal and environmental process will run its course before any drilling activity, even exploration, can be lawfully licensed. The status quo with the three current applicants, in the opinion of TKAG, is that their final environmental management plans are flawed and will not stand up to scientific scrutiny. Moreover, Minister Shabangu has a clear instruction from Cabinet regarding the moratorium on fracking and that is that Cabinet has made it very clear that clean environment together with all the ecological aspects will not be compromised”
“It is remarkable that in the light of current scientific and economic controversy in the US around the so-called cost-benefits of shale gas, Econometrix have the confidence to assume this position. The findings are lacking in balance to the extent that one must call the objectivity and credibility of the analysis into question”.
“Nowhere is there a reference to jobs that may be lost due to mining activity. The study lists knock-on benefits, but does not make any attempt to quantify the knock-on costs to South Africans – relating to damaged road infrastructure, health remediation costs, pollution remediation and environmental monitoring and enforcement of standards – to mention a few areas.”
“If this report were to be taken seriously, South Africa’s energy, employment and Green House Gas emissions challenges are a thing of the past. Interestingly, the team at Sasol appear to disagree with these findings – the global fuel company withdrew last November, from plans to frack in South Africa, stating that in their opinion “shale gas is twenty years too early in SA,” argued Deal.
In closing, Deal said that; “TKAG has been calling for a thorough cost-benefit analysis framed in a strategic environmental assessment since the advent of applications by Shell et al. It should be remembered that the legal and environmental process will run its course before any drilling activity, even exploration, can be lawfully licensed. The status quo with the three current applicants, in the opinion of TKAG, is that their final environmental management plans are flawed and will not stand up to scientific scrutiny. Moreover, Minister Shabangu has a clear instruction from Cabinet regarding the moratorium on fracking and that is that Cabinet has made it very clear that clean environment together with all the ecological aspects will not be compromised”
“Fracking survey results questioned” February 20, 2012
Local anti-fracking lobby, Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) today dismissed the results of an IPSOS Markinor opinion survey, as to whether or not South Africans want fracking.
Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG stated, “On the face of it, and without an untimely debate on this technical and controversial technology, we dismiss the report results on, inter alia, the following points:
1. The technology of hydraulic fracturing, even when explained to an audience generally more informed than a randomly selected interviewee, is technical and challenging to describe. We reject the implied premise that the process can be introduced in a short space of time on the basis of introductory or contextual statements. In support of this argument, we offer our own experience in public meetings hosted by Shell, during which the explanation of fracking consumed, in some instances, almost two hours. We are doubtful that the sampled persons were afforded this opportunity.
2. The issues raised as questions for interviewees appear to address only the very broadly debated points of energy, jobs, water and pollution. Other equally important aspects and risks relating to hydraulic fracturing appear not to have been raised, or considered.
3. There appears to be no mention made of the fact that in September of 2011 fracking was banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in almost 100 places. It would perhaps have been a relevant question to ask interviewees if they had any idea as to why the technology would be so unpopular with people living close to it, in view of the so-called benefits of job creation and energy.
4. In our view, the fact that Shell are listed as having commissioned the report throws a negative light on the results. Shell are recorded in South Africa in 2011, as having being found in breach of advertising standards by propagating false and misleading statements about fracking to the South African public. We suggest that it would have been prudent of Shell to include NGO’s such as TKAG in the planning of the survey, and especially the wording of the introductory text and questions.
5. South Africa is in the middle of the ‘fact-based’ phase of an investigation into shale gas mining, in terms of which the Minister of Minerals and her ‘task team’ will be required to arrive at a recommendation for Cabinet, as to whether or not to licence fracking in SA. This means that Minister Shabangu must base her recommendations only on the contents of the final Environmental Management Plans as submitted by the applicants. Opinion polls and certain value-based statements by proponents or opponents of fracking, that fail to appropriately and factually address the issues to be considered by Minister Shabangu are irrelevant for the purposes of informing the minister’s decision on exploration licences. If the debate, through legal action or other processes, finds it’s way to the Constitutional Court – the forum on which our public rely in law for their opinion to be heard, then the ‘value-based’ opinion of the South African public will be of relevance.
6. Even were the reported results of the survey, against shale gas mining, we would have to reject the results on the basis of our argument.”
Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG stated, “On the face of it, and without an untimely debate on this technical and controversial technology, we dismiss the report results on, inter alia, the following points:
1. The technology of hydraulic fracturing, even when explained to an audience generally more informed than a randomly selected interviewee, is technical and challenging to describe. We reject the implied premise that the process can be introduced in a short space of time on the basis of introductory or contextual statements. In support of this argument, we offer our own experience in public meetings hosted by Shell, during which the explanation of fracking consumed, in some instances, almost two hours. We are doubtful that the sampled persons were afforded this opportunity.
2. The issues raised as questions for interviewees appear to address only the very broadly debated points of energy, jobs, water and pollution. Other equally important aspects and risks relating to hydraulic fracturing appear not to have been raised, or considered.
3. There appears to be no mention made of the fact that in September of 2011 fracking was banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in almost 100 places. It would perhaps have been a relevant question to ask interviewees if they had any idea as to why the technology would be so unpopular with people living close to it, in view of the so-called benefits of job creation and energy.
4. In our view, the fact that Shell are listed as having commissioned the report throws a negative light on the results. Shell are recorded in South Africa in 2011, as having being found in breach of advertising standards by propagating false and misleading statements about fracking to the South African public. We suggest that it would have been prudent of Shell to include NGO’s such as TKAG in the planning of the survey, and especially the wording of the introductory text and questions.
5. South Africa is in the middle of the ‘fact-based’ phase of an investigation into shale gas mining, in terms of which the Minister of Minerals and her ‘task team’ will be required to arrive at a recommendation for Cabinet, as to whether or not to licence fracking in SA. This means that Minister Shabangu must base her recommendations only on the contents of the final Environmental Management Plans as submitted by the applicants. Opinion polls and certain value-based statements by proponents or opponents of fracking, that fail to appropriately and factually address the issues to be considered by Minister Shabangu are irrelevant for the purposes of informing the minister’s decision on exploration licences. If the debate, through legal action or other processes, finds it’s way to the Constitutional Court – the forum on which our public rely in law for their opinion to be heard, then the ‘value-based’ opinion of the South African public will be of relevance.
6. Even were the reported results of the survey, against shale gas mining, we would have to reject the results on the basis of our argument.”
"International anti-fracking coalition established" February 16, 2012
“A bridge has been built between the United States and South Africa in the global anti-fracking movement”. This according to US actor Mark Ruffalo, who revealed that anti-fracking lobby group Water Defense and South African Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) have formalized their relationship. Ruffalo confirmed that he had accepted a position on the board of TKAG and that TKAG chairman, Jonathan Deal would join the board of Water Defense.
“Fracking is a global threat and it requires a global response. A year ago, because of what was happening in the US, South Africans were able to alert their government to the risks of fracking, and they succeeded in putting the brakes on the process in their country. Now there is international interest in what happens with licence applications to frack in South Africa”, said Ruffalo. We intend to cooperate with and support TKAG on all levels, including ensuring that fundraising efforts are directed where they are most needed. It is a fact that environmental NGO’s have to oppose global giant corporations who have virtually unlimited budgets to push their corporate agendas. We believe that this first bridge will result in an effective global coalition between continents, countries and ordinary people opposing fracking”.
TKAG chairman, Jonathan Deal commented that the development was ‘one of the most exciting accomplishments in the anti-fracking fight’, and that it ‘considerably enhanced’ the local lobby group’s ability to oppose fracking in South Africa.
ENDS
About Water Defense
The American NGO connects the dots between the movements working to stop mountain top removal, hydro fracking, tar sands mining, and other destructive practices that threaten our dwindling global supply of clean water. Founded by actor Mark Ruffalo, Water Defense engages renowned cultural figures, produces educational events, and informs the public, through traditional and social media to raise awareness, drive policy change, and end our fossil fuel addiction by demanding sustainable solutions. Additional information at www.waterdefense.org
As at February 16 2012 fracking is banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in 108 places and 5 countries. [ABOUT TKAG: Treasure the Karoo Action Group represents a broad range of stakeholders who are concerned with the plans of Oil and Mining companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin. Popular support can be followed and joined on Facebook and at the web address www.treasurethekaroo.co.za]
Issued by Water Defense, 28 Marcy Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Email: Ms. Betta Broad - betta@ewaterdefense.org
Tel: 347-223-4385
In South Africa:
HWB Communications Pty Ltd - Tel: +27 21 462 0416
Email: Jonathan Deal - natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za
Tel +27 76 838 5150
“Fracking is a global threat and it requires a global response. A year ago, because of what was happening in the US, South Africans were able to alert their government to the risks of fracking, and they succeeded in putting the brakes on the process in their country. Now there is international interest in what happens with licence applications to frack in South Africa”, said Ruffalo. We intend to cooperate with and support TKAG on all levels, including ensuring that fundraising efforts are directed where they are most needed. It is a fact that environmental NGO’s have to oppose global giant corporations who have virtually unlimited budgets to push their corporate agendas. We believe that this first bridge will result in an effective global coalition between continents, countries and ordinary people opposing fracking”.
TKAG chairman, Jonathan Deal commented that the development was ‘one of the most exciting accomplishments in the anti-fracking fight’, and that it ‘considerably enhanced’ the local lobby group’s ability to oppose fracking in South Africa.
ENDS
About Water Defense
The American NGO connects the dots between the movements working to stop mountain top removal, hydro fracking, tar sands mining, and other destructive practices that threaten our dwindling global supply of clean water. Founded by actor Mark Ruffalo, Water Defense engages renowned cultural figures, produces educational events, and informs the public, through traditional and social media to raise awareness, drive policy change, and end our fossil fuel addiction by demanding sustainable solutions. Additional information at www.waterdefense.org
As at February 16 2012 fracking is banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in 108 places and 5 countries. [ABOUT TKAG: Treasure the Karoo Action Group represents a broad range of stakeholders who are concerned with the plans of Oil and Mining companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin. Popular support can be followed and joined on Facebook and at the web address www.treasurethekaroo.co.za]
Issued by Water Defense, 28 Marcy Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Email: Ms. Betta Broad - betta@ewaterdefense.org
Tel: 347-223-4385
In South Africa:
HWB Communications Pty Ltd - Tel: +27 21 462 0416
Email: Jonathan Deal - natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za
Tel +27 76 838 5150
"Minister of Minerals files papers at the 11th hour" January 31, 2012
Treasure Karoo Action Group chairman Jonathan Deal, confirmed that Minister of Minerals Susan Shabangu filed her answering affidavit in Pretoria today. "We have been calling for information regarding the task team since April last year and thus we are pleased by the fact that we have now received some form of response from Minister Shabangu, albeit at the eleventh hour and in the form of an answering affidavit, said Deal.
"It is a pity that we had to sue the Minister to have her explain her position to us but at least we are now one step closer to enabling South Africans to have access to information that may dramatically affect certain of their basic human rights. We are now merely waiting on our legal team to consider the arguments contained in the Minister's papers before we take our next step towards removing the veil of secrecy that has for many months been surrounding the task team on hydraulic fracturing," he concluded.
ENDS
Stats
As at this date fracking is banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in a minimum of 97 places, including 6 countries.
"It is a pity that we had to sue the Minister to have her explain her position to us but at least we are now one step closer to enabling South Africans to have access to information that may dramatically affect certain of their basic human rights. We are now merely waiting on our legal team to consider the arguments contained in the Minister's papers before we take our next step towards removing the veil of secrecy that has for many months been surrounding the task team on hydraulic fracturing," he concluded.
ENDS
Stats
As at this date fracking is banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in a minimum of 97 places, including 6 countries.
"Canadian fracking blowout sends dire warning to SA" January 17, 2012
A fracking well blow-up in a well in Canada ought to be seen as a warning shot fired across the bows of fracking in South Africa.
This is the opinion of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) group Chairman, Jonathan Deal who said; “This incident demonstrates precisely why we have raised serious concerns about fracking in South Africa. We simply cannot allow any threat to South Africa’s water resources, never mind the other very real dangers this process offers.”
Fracking is currently banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in more than 90 places, including five countries.
"Here we have a situation where people in North America and Canada are, on a daily basis are force to live with polluting incidents and accidents. There can be no possible justification for the South African government to invest any more time on even considering fracking in this country until issues such as these have been settled by scientific consensus and an inclusive national debate,” said Deal.
"If the South African government lifts the moratorium and issues any form of exploration licence for fracking under the current circumstances, the only recourse open to TKAG will be to seek the protection of our courts.”
The TKAG is opposed to fracking in South Africa before independent comprehensive scientific research has been conducted, showing exactly what the impact of fracking could be.
Deal's comments relate to a widely reported well blowout on January 13 in Calgary, Canada. The blowout is currently being investigated by the provincial energy regulator (ERCB) in Canada.
In this incident, fracking fluid, under pressure from a well belonging to another company travelled through fault lines and fissures until it breached an older well hundreds of metres away, causing the fluid [under pressure] to blow out of that well.
Cara Tobin, board spokeswoman for the Canadian government said, “(my) understanding is that it appeared the fracking process affected the other well”. The ERCB admitted to press, “[E]RCB is aware of similar incidents of "communication" between wells as a result of fracking”.
‘Communication’ is an event in which the fracking process creates pressure, which escapes into an underground fault system.
“The fluids used to achieve the fracking process then travel along natural fissures and weaknesses in surrounding rock until they migrate into an area where the pressure is absorbed. In this case, the path was to a well hundreds of metres away, and according to reports the different pressure caused that well to blowout,” said Deal.
Meanwhile, a retired Canadian mining engineer, Don Bester, who currently chairs the Alberta Surface Rights Group, said, “We’re concerned that these things are going to start damaging aquifers. If they hit another well, like this one here, what if they [communicate] and put all that frac (sic) fluid into an aquifer and destroy it?”.
Bester is concerned that ‘[frack propagate out so far that if they hit one of these natural fracture systems, they will just follow the natural channel straight up from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone.’ And his view is supported by Matt Horne, a director of the Pembina Institute – a Canadian Environmental think-tank - “Incidents like this and the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study about activities in Wyoming, all add weight to concerns being raised about hydraulic fracturing.”
This is the opinion of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) group Chairman, Jonathan Deal who said; “This incident demonstrates precisely why we have raised serious concerns about fracking in South Africa. We simply cannot allow any threat to South Africa’s water resources, never mind the other very real dangers this process offers.”
Fracking is currently banned or under some form of moratorium or restriction in more than 90 places, including five countries.
"Here we have a situation where people in North America and Canada are, on a daily basis are force to live with polluting incidents and accidents. There can be no possible justification for the South African government to invest any more time on even considering fracking in this country until issues such as these have been settled by scientific consensus and an inclusive national debate,” said Deal.
"If the South African government lifts the moratorium and issues any form of exploration licence for fracking under the current circumstances, the only recourse open to TKAG will be to seek the protection of our courts.”
The TKAG is opposed to fracking in South Africa before independent comprehensive scientific research has been conducted, showing exactly what the impact of fracking could be.
Deal's comments relate to a widely reported well blowout on January 13 in Calgary, Canada. The blowout is currently being investigated by the provincial energy regulator (ERCB) in Canada.
In this incident, fracking fluid, under pressure from a well belonging to another company travelled through fault lines and fissures until it breached an older well hundreds of metres away, causing the fluid [under pressure] to blow out of that well.
Cara Tobin, board spokeswoman for the Canadian government said, “(my) understanding is that it appeared the fracking process affected the other well”. The ERCB admitted to press, “[E]RCB is aware of similar incidents of "communication" between wells as a result of fracking”.
‘Communication’ is an event in which the fracking process creates pressure, which escapes into an underground fault system.
“The fluids used to achieve the fracking process then travel along natural fissures and weaknesses in surrounding rock until they migrate into an area where the pressure is absorbed. In this case, the path was to a well hundreds of metres away, and according to reports the different pressure caused that well to blowout,” said Deal.
Meanwhile, a retired Canadian mining engineer, Don Bester, who currently chairs the Alberta Surface Rights Group, said, “We’re concerned that these things are going to start damaging aquifers. If they hit another well, like this one here, what if they [communicate] and put all that frac (sic) fluid into an aquifer and destroy it?”.
Bester is concerned that ‘[frack propagate out so far that if they hit one of these natural fracture systems, they will just follow the natural channel straight up from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone.’ And his view is supported by Matt Horne, a director of the Pembina Institute – a Canadian Environmental think-tank - “Incidents like this and the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study about activities in Wyoming, all add weight to concerns being raised about hydraulic fracturing.”
"Court victory for Karoo anti-fracking group" January 9, 2012
Minerals Minister Susan Shabangu has until January 31, this year to reveal the names and details of the government "task team" appointed to probe fracking in the Karoo.
Today (January 9) Judge du Plessis, in the North Gauteng High Court, granted an order that the Minister and the Director-General must file answering affidavits by no later than 31 January 2012.
The Minister was also instructed to pay costs.
Jonathan Deal, Chairperson of the Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG), which is calling for detailed, independent scientific research before licenses are granted to oil companies to frack for gas in the Karoo, said the decision was a "victory" for all South Africans. The TKAG first wrote to the Minister requesting information regarding the task team in April last year.
"In spite of various letters to the Minister, as well as making formal application for access to the relevant information under the PAIA, the Minister declined to answer TKAG's questions regarding the task team.
"Finally, the judiciary has given a ruling that may well, as a minimum, force the Minister to explain her reluctance as regards granting access to the relevant information,” said Deal.
"Our persistence and courage in standing up against government and the oil industry has paid off.
"But this is by no means the end of our struggle to force the government and oil companies to act responsibly.
"We cannot allow fracking to go ahead when there are so many unanswered questions not least about health and the possibility of irreversible pollution of underground water resources," said Deal.
* Deal appealed to South Africans to help fund the TKAG. "We have limited resources and need as much assistance as we can get to compel the government and the oil companies to act responsibly, " he said.
"Alarming study finds "fracking" chemicals in groundwater" December 12, 2011
Water pollution report sends shockwaves through shale gas industry
In a shock report that has sent shockwaves through the global oil and gas industry, the US Environmental Protection Agency has found fracking as the likely source of contamination of groundwater in the state of Wyoming, USA.
The finding is based on a three-year study of groundwater contamination near the town of Pavillion.
The deep water well monitoring study found that synthetic chemicals, such as glycols and alcohols consistent with gas production had been detected as well as hydraulic fracturing fluids, including highly noxious benzene concentrations well above Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The study also reported high methane levels.
The EPA said in the report that it is "concerned about the movement of contaminants within the aquifer and the safety of drinking water wells over time."
The report included the EPA findings on Private and Public Drinking Water Wells in the Pavillion area of Wyoming and confirmed that 'chemicals detected in the most recent samples are consistent with those identified in earlier EPA samples and include methane, other petroleum hydrocarbons and other chemical compounds."
“The presence of these compounds is consistent with migration from areas of gas production"
Treasure Karoo Action Group chairman, Jonathan Deal said, "This report is enormously significant in the debate on hydraulic fracturing in South Africa."
There are more than a thousand cases, especially in the US, where fracking is blamed for groundwater contamination, but the oil and gas industry consistently claim that that they are unaware of any documented cases.
"The industry hides behind jargon and avoids the facts that are generally accepted and in the public realm."
"After this damning report, which follows other simmilar reports, it is no longer possible for those championing fracking to make the claim that they are unaware of documented cases of groundwater contamination," he concluded.
(for more details of report see:http://yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/14087)
In a shock report that has sent shockwaves through the global oil and gas industry, the US Environmental Protection Agency has found fracking as the likely source of contamination of groundwater in the state of Wyoming, USA.
The finding is based on a three-year study of groundwater contamination near the town of Pavillion.
The deep water well monitoring study found that synthetic chemicals, such as glycols and alcohols consistent with gas production had been detected as well as hydraulic fracturing fluids, including highly noxious benzene concentrations well above Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The study also reported high methane levels.
The EPA said in the report that it is "concerned about the movement of contaminants within the aquifer and the safety of drinking water wells over time."
The report included the EPA findings on Private and Public Drinking Water Wells in the Pavillion area of Wyoming and confirmed that 'chemicals detected in the most recent samples are consistent with those identified in earlier EPA samples and include methane, other petroleum hydrocarbons and other chemical compounds."
“The presence of these compounds is consistent with migration from areas of gas production"
Treasure Karoo Action Group chairman, Jonathan Deal said, "This report is enormously significant in the debate on hydraulic fracturing in South Africa."
There are more than a thousand cases, especially in the US, where fracking is blamed for groundwater contamination, but the oil and gas industry consistently claim that that they are unaware of any documented cases.
"The industry hides behind jargon and avoids the facts that are generally accepted and in the public realm."
"After this damning report, which follows other simmilar reports, it is no longer possible for those championing fracking to make the claim that they are unaware of documented cases of groundwater contamination," he concluded.
(for more details of report see:http://yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/14087)
"Leaked US report reveals 'ominous' impact on roads from fracking" December 7, 2011
A confidential US report on the transport impact of fracking has direct and dire implications for South Africa.
This is the opinion of Jonathan Deal, Chairman of the Treasure Karoo Action Group, which is calling on government to do proper research before allowing fracking to take place in the Karoo in particular and South Africa in general.
His comments follow a “leaked” New York State Department of Transport (NYSDOT) report claiming that the potential transport impact of fracking is “ominous.”
The report was prepared for discussion in the office of the Governor of New York State, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
“Assuming current gas drilling technology and a lower level of development than will be experienced in Pennsylvania, the Marcellus region will see a peak year increase of up to 1,5-million heavy truck trips, and induced development may increase peak hour trips by 36,000 trips per hour.”
Commenting on the conclusions of the report, Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) chair, Jonathan Deal said “We flagged this concern as just one of many potential impacts on South African tax payers months ago.
This information supports the call by concerned South Africans for a wide-ranging investigation into the sustainability and suitability of shale gas for this country. Royal Dutch Shell claim that shale gas will solve South Africa’s energy, employment and emission problems, but we have a different view based on the experiences of other countries and the empirical data that emerges on a daily basis.”
He said that TKAG would forward a copy of the report to the office of the Minister of Transport in South Africa.
TKAG concluded that it was regrettable that Minister Susan Shabangu had elected not to share the work of the ‘fracking task team’ with South Africans, as ‘we have no knowledge of whether or not critical documents such as this report will be taken into account.’
The US report, not intended for public viewing, concludes: “…. It will be necessary to reconstruct hundreds of miles of roads and scores of bridges and undertake safety and operational improvements in many areas…” Addressing the financial impact just within New York State, the document confirms “… the annual [not total] costs to undertake these transportation projects range from $90 mil - $156 mil for state roads and $121 mil - $222 mil for local roads. There is no mechanism in place allowing state and local government to absorb these additional costs without major impacts to other programmes and other municipalities in the State.”
The report recently appeared on the website of the Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Gas Drilling Opposition Group and it can be viewed and downloaded at
http://www.pressconnects.com/assets/pdf/CB177299726.PDF
This is the opinion of Jonathan Deal, Chairman of the Treasure Karoo Action Group, which is calling on government to do proper research before allowing fracking to take place in the Karoo in particular and South Africa in general.
His comments follow a “leaked” New York State Department of Transport (NYSDOT) report claiming that the potential transport impact of fracking is “ominous.”
The report was prepared for discussion in the office of the Governor of New York State, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
“Assuming current gas drilling technology and a lower level of development than will be experienced in Pennsylvania, the Marcellus region will see a peak year increase of up to 1,5-million heavy truck trips, and induced development may increase peak hour trips by 36,000 trips per hour.”
Commenting on the conclusions of the report, Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) chair, Jonathan Deal said “We flagged this concern as just one of many potential impacts on South African tax payers months ago.
This information supports the call by concerned South Africans for a wide-ranging investigation into the sustainability and suitability of shale gas for this country. Royal Dutch Shell claim that shale gas will solve South Africa’s energy, employment and emission problems, but we have a different view based on the experiences of other countries and the empirical data that emerges on a daily basis.”
He said that TKAG would forward a copy of the report to the office of the Minister of Transport in South Africa.
TKAG concluded that it was regrettable that Minister Susan Shabangu had elected not to share the work of the ‘fracking task team’ with South Africans, as ‘we have no knowledge of whether or not critical documents such as this report will be taken into account.’
The US report, not intended for public viewing, concludes: “…. It will be necessary to reconstruct hundreds of miles of roads and scores of bridges and undertake safety and operational improvements in many areas…” Addressing the financial impact just within New York State, the document confirms “… the annual [not total] costs to undertake these transportation projects range from $90 mil - $156 mil for state roads and $121 mil - $222 mil for local roads. There is no mechanism in place allowing state and local government to absorb these additional costs without major impacts to other programmes and other municipalities in the State.”
The report recently appeared on the website of the Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Gas Drilling Opposition Group and it can be viewed and downloaded at
http://www.pressconnects.com/assets/pdf/CB177299726.PDF
"Anti-fracking lobby gains support in KZN" December 5, 2011
Environmental lobby group Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG), confirmed today that the national resistance to fracking had been strengthened with the addition of a KZN based team. "Craig Elstob, a Durban-based businessman, and Karoo author with strong links to the Karoo community in the Beaufort West region has agreed to join forces with TKAG," said Jonathan Deal, chair of TKAG.
"Mr Elstob has been visibly involved around the country educating farmers and the general public about the technology of fracking, and we are encouraged by this strong representation in KZN. Essentially, the functions that TKAG has developed and which we maintain at considerable effort and cost will be rolled out to the KZN community. Mr. Elstob will assume a position on the TKAG board and his support is a valuable addition to our campaign." Deal said that the fact that SASOL had recently indicated its decision not to frack in South Africa should not be a reason for KZN to believe that the fracking risk has disappeared. "As far as we are aware, if SASOL fails to make use of the exploration area, it will be available to other applicants," he said.
"Mr Elstob has been visibly involved around the country educating farmers and the general public about the technology of fracking, and we are encouraged by this strong representation in KZN. Essentially, the functions that TKAG has developed and which we maintain at considerable effort and cost will be rolled out to the KZN community. Mr. Elstob will assume a position on the TKAG board and his support is a valuable addition to our campaign." Deal said that the fact that SASOL had recently indicated its decision not to frack in South Africa should not be a reason for KZN to believe that the fracking risk has disappeared. "As far as we are aware, if SASOL fails to make use of the exploration area, it will be available to other applicants," he said.
“Environment lobby welcomes SASOL’s decision not to frack Karoo” December 1, 2011
Sasol's decision this week not to pursue hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) for shale gas in the Karoo has been welcomed by the Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG).
The TKAG is leading the fight against the exploitation of the Karoo by mining companies before independent scientific research has been conducted.
“We welcome SASOL’s decision, particularly as the company appears to have taken time to actually listen to the people of the Karoo and acknowledge their concerns.
“Our aim is to convince Shell and other companies who have also applied for exploration rights show the same genuine concern for the people who live in the areas that they propose to exploit and whose livelihoods and health could be placed in jeopardy as a result of fracking,” said Jonathan Deal Chairman of TKAG,
“ We call on all residents of the Karoo and our supporters and members to join TKAG in congratulating SASOL on a responsible and sensitive decision. We hope that this action by a global player in the energy field will act as a wake-up call to Royal Dutch Shell and other companies who still pursue their applications to frack in South Africa.”
The TKAG is leading the fight against the exploitation of the Karoo by mining companies before independent scientific research has been conducted.
“We welcome SASOL’s decision, particularly as the company appears to have taken time to actually listen to the people of the Karoo and acknowledge their concerns.
“Our aim is to convince Shell and other companies who have also applied for exploration rights show the same genuine concern for the people who live in the areas that they propose to exploit and whose livelihoods and health could be placed in jeopardy as a result of fracking,” said Jonathan Deal Chairman of TKAG,
“ We call on all residents of the Karoo and our supporters and members to join TKAG in congratulating SASOL on a responsible and sensitive decision. We hope that this action by a global player in the energy field will act as a wake-up call to Royal Dutch Shell and other companies who still pursue their applications to frack in South Africa.”
"Karoo action group supports youth leagues' call for investigation into fracking" November 28, 2011
Fracking is not and will never be a purely political issue that can be "owned" by any political party.
This is the opinion of Treasure Karoo Action Group, (TKAG) Chairperson Jonathan Deal who said that the technology, presently under some form of ban, moratorium or restriction at more than 80 locations word wide, and in five countries, "has the potential to impact on every person in South Africa, irrespective of political persuasion.”
Deal was responding to reports on Monday (November 28) that the Western Cape Branch of the ANC Youth League supports initiatives to investigate the viability of fracking across the province.
Fracking- a highly controversial method of extracting gas from deliberately fracturing shale deep underground - has the potential to cause huge environmental damage, including underground water pollution — and impact negatively on the health of people living in communities near drilling operatjons and in the production process.
At the weekend, according to reports, Western Cape ANC Youth League member, Luvo Makasi — following an ANCYL regional general councils' meeting — said that the league supports initiatives to investigate the viability of fracking across the province…”
“We are pleased to note that the ANCYL appears only to have spoken of investigating the viability of fracking. This dovetails with the recent legal action launched by TKAG against the Minister of Minerals in connection with her department’s refusal to share information relating to fracking with the general public.”
“We have been expecting the question of fracking to emerge in a political statement for some months, and are of the view that it is to the credit of our government that there has been no political pronouncement on it thus far.”
"The statement by the ANCYL, does not, in our view, take a firm stance in favour of fracking going ahead, but calls rather for further study or investigation.”
"As the TKAG recently pointed out, even the NPC is not in a position to make a judgement call on this highly controversial technology in South Africa at this time.”
"We believe that it will be years, rather than months, before the scientific facts have been thoroughly evaluated in this country, and only after that can a rational decision about fracking be made,“ concluded Deal.
All existing and future applications to apply any form of fracking in South Africa are presently under a Cabinet sanctioned moratorium.
This is the opinion of Treasure Karoo Action Group, (TKAG) Chairperson Jonathan Deal who said that the technology, presently under some form of ban, moratorium or restriction at more than 80 locations word wide, and in five countries, "has the potential to impact on every person in South Africa, irrespective of political persuasion.”
Deal was responding to reports on Monday (November 28) that the Western Cape Branch of the ANC Youth League supports initiatives to investigate the viability of fracking across the province.
Fracking- a highly controversial method of extracting gas from deliberately fracturing shale deep underground - has the potential to cause huge environmental damage, including underground water pollution — and impact negatively on the health of people living in communities near drilling operatjons and in the production process.
At the weekend, according to reports, Western Cape ANC Youth League member, Luvo Makasi — following an ANCYL regional general councils' meeting — said that the league supports initiatives to investigate the viability of fracking across the province…”
“We are pleased to note that the ANCYL appears only to have spoken of investigating the viability of fracking. This dovetails with the recent legal action launched by TKAG against the Minister of Minerals in connection with her department’s refusal to share information relating to fracking with the general public.”
“We have been expecting the question of fracking to emerge in a political statement for some months, and are of the view that it is to the credit of our government that there has been no political pronouncement on it thus far.”
"The statement by the ANCYL, does not, in our view, take a firm stance in favour of fracking going ahead, but calls rather for further study or investigation.”
"As the TKAG recently pointed out, even the NPC is not in a position to make a judgement call on this highly controversial technology in South Africa at this time.”
"We believe that it will be years, rather than months, before the scientific facts have been thoroughly evaluated in this country, and only after that can a rational decision about fracking be made,“ concluded Deal.
All existing and future applications to apply any form of fracking in South Africa are presently under a Cabinet sanctioned moratorium.
Hold on controversial plans to mine Karoo for gas "must be extended" November 23, 2011
The moratorium on shale gas mining in the Karoo ought to be extended pending a rigorous national strategic assessment of the technology and it's implications for South Africa.
This was the consensus at a debate yesterday (November 22) in Port Elizabeth titled, Strategic Conversations - Fracking in the Karoo.
The event, hosted by the business school of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was the first of its kind in the country, effectively juxtaposing environmental lobby group Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) against Royal Dutch Shell, with qualified contribution from NMMU Prof Maarten De Witt and Mr. Andrew Muir, Chair of Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and CEO of the Wilderness Foundation.
Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG, De Witt and Muir in their opening statements, voiced their belief that the technology of fracking and any applications to mine shale gas must remain on ice for an extended period on the basis of the unknown implications of fracking in South Africa.
"This controversial technology requires multiple and independent lines of scientific analysis, a meaningful public awareness campaign by government and an inclusive national strategic debate facilitated by an independent government task team.
"Taking into account the current state of misinformation and the refusal of the DMR to cooperate with requests for information, we are of the view that it would be unlawful for the minister to issue an exploration licence," said Deal.
Prof. De Witt, a geo-hydrologist, called for a minimum extension to the moratorium of two to three years and suggested that the oil and gas companies should not be involved in any phase of the evaluation of the technology during the moratorium.
De Witt added that if and when the process of exploration began, the companies would need to be independently supervised by experts because they could not be trusted to police their own operations.
He concluded by saying that an area which had thus far been absent from this debate was the 'absolutely enormous impact' on social services that would result from 'not thousands, but hundreds of thousands of trucks' running through the Karoo, which presented social challenges and opportunities.
There was focus during the debate on Royal Dutch Shell and their persistence in denying that the company is not aware of even one instance of pollution of groundwater from fracking.
Speaking directly to Jan-Willem Eggink, Shell Upstream manager for Africa, Deal said "It is time for Shell to stop hiding behind the trite industry claim of 1 million wells over sixty years and not one problem.”
"I put it to you that no one can do any mechanical operation over 60 years, a million times in a row without making even one error."
"There are many documented instances of pollution from fracking, and for Shell to continue to deny this does little to alleviate our distrust of the oil and gas industry."
Deal said "the statistic of 1 million wells does not belong to Shell alone, with the biggest single driller in the US - Chesapeake having done only 4100 wells in which horizontal fracking was applied."
The debate was moderated by Prof Piet Naude and attended by members of the public and the academic fraternity, including the Vice Chancellor of NMMU, Prof Derrick Swartz, the head of the business school, Prof. Burgess and Prof. Paul Poisat.
For more information please contact:
Jonathan Deal
Chairman - Treasure Karoo Action Group
cell: 076 838 5150
e-mail: natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za
www.treasurethekaroo.co.za
This was the consensus at a debate yesterday (November 22) in Port Elizabeth titled, Strategic Conversations - Fracking in the Karoo.
The event, hosted by the business school of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was the first of its kind in the country, effectively juxtaposing environmental lobby group Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) against Royal Dutch Shell, with qualified contribution from NMMU Prof Maarten De Witt and Mr. Andrew Muir, Chair of Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and CEO of the Wilderness Foundation.
Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG, De Witt and Muir in their opening statements, voiced their belief that the technology of fracking and any applications to mine shale gas must remain on ice for an extended period on the basis of the unknown implications of fracking in South Africa.
"This controversial technology requires multiple and independent lines of scientific analysis, a meaningful public awareness campaign by government and an inclusive national strategic debate facilitated by an independent government task team.
"Taking into account the current state of misinformation and the refusal of the DMR to cooperate with requests for information, we are of the view that it would be unlawful for the minister to issue an exploration licence," said Deal.
Prof. De Witt, a geo-hydrologist, called for a minimum extension to the moratorium of two to three years and suggested that the oil and gas companies should not be involved in any phase of the evaluation of the technology during the moratorium.
De Witt added that if and when the process of exploration began, the companies would need to be independently supervised by experts because they could not be trusted to police their own operations.
He concluded by saying that an area which had thus far been absent from this debate was the 'absolutely enormous impact' on social services that would result from 'not thousands, but hundreds of thousands of trucks' running through the Karoo, which presented social challenges and opportunities.
There was focus during the debate on Royal Dutch Shell and their persistence in denying that the company is not aware of even one instance of pollution of groundwater from fracking.
Speaking directly to Jan-Willem Eggink, Shell Upstream manager for Africa, Deal said "It is time for Shell to stop hiding behind the trite industry claim of 1 million wells over sixty years and not one problem.”
"I put it to you that no one can do any mechanical operation over 60 years, a million times in a row without making even one error."
"There are many documented instances of pollution from fracking, and for Shell to continue to deny this does little to alleviate our distrust of the oil and gas industry."
Deal said "the statistic of 1 million wells does not belong to Shell alone, with the biggest single driller in the US - Chesapeake having done only 4100 wells in which horizontal fracking was applied."
The debate was moderated by Prof Piet Naude and attended by members of the public and the academic fraternity, including the Vice Chancellor of NMMU, Prof Derrick Swartz, the head of the business school, Prof. Burgess and Prof. Paul Poisat.
For more information please contact:
Jonathan Deal
Chairman - Treasure Karoo Action Group
cell: 076 838 5150
e-mail: natcoordinator@treasurethekaroo.co.za
www.treasurethekaroo.co.za
"NPC out of line" November 14, 2011
“The statements by the National Planning Commission in connection with shale gas mining are premature, unfortunate, and enter the completely unsettled debate from a weak position.” This is the view of Treasure Karoo Action Group, TKAG chairman Jonathan Deal, who added that it borders on irresponsibility by the NPC team to make sweeping pronouncements on a technology on which ‘the jury is still out’ around the world.
Hydraulic fracturing, (fracking) is presently under a full moratorium in South Africa, as well as in four other countries and at least 80 other locations around the world. The specialist task team convened by Minister Shabangu on the instructions of our full Cabinet, is yet to report back to the minister who only then may approach Cabinet for a decision on fracking. “In other words, this process is far from over, requiring in our view, an independent scientific investigation of at least the time frame involved in the US – which is four years,” said Deal.
For a presidentially sanctioned body of highly regarded thought leaders in our country to have released the statements that they have, at this time, creates the impression that our government has already made up its mind to issue licences to frack the country. “We are sure that this was not their intention. Of particular concern are the gas reserve figures on which these statements are based. We are receiving information, on a regular basis of the over estimation of gas reserves by the USGS and agencies in the UK. Estimated reserves in Pennsylvania have recently been reduced from 410tcf (trillion cubic feet) to 84tcf – an 80% reduction.”
In closing Deal referred to a few of the many unanswered questions surrounding ‘fracking’ – such as sourcing and pollution of fresh water, disposal of toxic wastewater, a dearth of mining law, lack of enforcement capability and the above-ground disruption to farming and tourism. “The NPC has failed to address any of these questions – which are absolutely fundamental to the issue at hand. We trust that this will not exacerbate an already delicate situation, in which TKAG has been forced to sue the Minister of Mineral Resources over her department’s refusal to share information on the activities of the task team).
/ends
[ABOUT TKAG: Treasure the Karoo Action Group represents a broad range of stakeholders who are concerned with the plans of Oil and Mining companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin. Popular support can be followed and joined on Facebook and at www.treasurethekaroo.co.za
Hydraulic fracturing, (fracking) is presently under a full moratorium in South Africa, as well as in four other countries and at least 80 other locations around the world. The specialist task team convened by Minister Shabangu on the instructions of our full Cabinet, is yet to report back to the minister who only then may approach Cabinet for a decision on fracking. “In other words, this process is far from over, requiring in our view, an independent scientific investigation of at least the time frame involved in the US – which is four years,” said Deal.
For a presidentially sanctioned body of highly regarded thought leaders in our country to have released the statements that they have, at this time, creates the impression that our government has already made up its mind to issue licences to frack the country. “We are sure that this was not their intention. Of particular concern are the gas reserve figures on which these statements are based. We are receiving information, on a regular basis of the over estimation of gas reserves by the USGS and agencies in the UK. Estimated reserves in Pennsylvania have recently been reduced from 410tcf (trillion cubic feet) to 84tcf – an 80% reduction.”
In closing Deal referred to a few of the many unanswered questions surrounding ‘fracking’ – such as sourcing and pollution of fresh water, disposal of toxic wastewater, a dearth of mining law, lack of enforcement capability and the above-ground disruption to farming and tourism. “The NPC has failed to address any of these questions – which are absolutely fundamental to the issue at hand. We trust that this will not exacerbate an already delicate situation, in which TKAG has been forced to sue the Minister of Mineral Resources over her department’s refusal to share information on the activities of the task team).
/ends
[ABOUT TKAG: Treasure the Karoo Action Group represents a broad range of stakeholders who are concerned with the plans of Oil and Mining companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin. Popular support can be followed and joined on Facebook and at www.treasurethekaroo.co.za
"Shell’s credibility questioned again" September 28, 2011
“Shell’s credibility questioned again”
A lobby group has accused Shell of having no credibility when making promises to South African communities about plans for hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”).
This follows reports this week about farmers in Pennsylvania (USA) blaming Shell for the contamination of their groundwater. (“Alarm bells sound for Karoo residents after US farmer’s water supply ruined,” http://www.peherald.com/news/article/2974)
Treasure Karoo Action Group chairman Jonathan Deal says Shell spokespersons have been talking to local farmers and making promises about the safety of fracking while they were aware of the incident in Pennsylvania.
“Shell staff members have told us there was not even one incident of pollution from fracking, anywhere in the world, that can be attributed to them. They made no mention of this incident in the US, in April.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has formally placed Shell on notice that it (Shell) is in breach of provisions of the Oil & Gas Act in the US.
“Of particular interest to TKAG is the claim by two South African farmers that Shell attempted to purposefully divert them away from this incident site during a visit to the United States. In any event, the truth has emerged and we sincerely hope that our government is taking note of the conduct of Shell - the most visible of all applicants to frack this country,” said Deal. Meanwhile TKAG has welcomed the decision by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu to cancel mining rights for the Central Rand Gold Mine on the basis of non-compliance with agreed conditions.
“It is heartening to see that Minister Shabangu is enforcing a no-nonsense approach in applying the law. This sends a very necessary message to big business that standards and values in South Africa are not for sale.”
This follows reports this week about farmers in Pennsylvania (USA) blaming Shell for the contamination of their groundwater. (“Alarm bells sound for Karoo residents after US farmer’s water supply ruined,” http://www.peherald.com/news/article/2974)
Treasure Karoo Action Group chairman Jonathan Deal says Shell spokespersons have been talking to local farmers and making promises about the safety of fracking while they were aware of the incident in Pennsylvania.
“Shell staff members have told us there was not even one incident of pollution from fracking, anywhere in the world, that can be attributed to them. They made no mention of this incident in the US, in April.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has formally placed Shell on notice that it (Shell) is in breach of provisions of the Oil & Gas Act in the US.
“Of particular interest to TKAG is the claim by two South African farmers that Shell attempted to purposefully divert them away from this incident site during a visit to the United States. In any event, the truth has emerged and we sincerely hope that our government is taking note of the conduct of Shell - the most visible of all applicants to frack this country,” said Deal. Meanwhile TKAG has welcomed the decision by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu to cancel mining rights for the Central Rand Gold Mine on the basis of non-compliance with agreed conditions.
“It is heartening to see that Minister Shabangu is enforcing a no-nonsense approach in applying the law. This sends a very necessary message to big business that standards and values in South Africa are not for sale.”
“Fracking lobby group TKAG receives award for work done to conserve environment” August 18, 2011
Lobby group Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) will tonight (SUBS: Thursday) be honoured for its work in creating awareness about the potential dangers of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in the Karoo.
The award comes from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), and is awarded in the Group Category. The award will be presented to TKAG at WESSA’s 85th birthday celebration.
TKAG chairman Jonathan Deal welcomed the award. “It is a very welcome endorsement of the work we do every day, to create awareness about the potential dangers of fracking as a technology for South Africa,” he said. “We are deeply honoured to receive this award from a well respected organization such as WESSA.”
WESSA is a non-government organization, working to ensure environmental sustainability for current and future South African generations.
The award ceremony takes place at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, at 6pm on Thursday August 18, 2011. For information on WESSA visit www.wessa.org.za or call Catherine 082 321 2794.
The award comes from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), and is awarded in the Group Category. The award will be presented to TKAG at WESSA’s 85th birthday celebration.
TKAG chairman Jonathan Deal welcomed the award. “It is a very welcome endorsement of the work we do every day, to create awareness about the potential dangers of fracking as a technology for South Africa,” he said. “We are deeply honoured to receive this award from a well respected organization such as WESSA.”
WESSA is a non-government organization, working to ensure environmental sustainability for current and future South African generations.
The award ceremony takes place at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, at 6pm on Thursday August 18, 2011. For information on WESSA visit www.wessa.org.za or call Catherine 082 321 2794.
“TKAG forced to launch ‘Access to Info’ request about fracking task team” August 15, 2011
The Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) has invoked the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain information about government’s fracking task team and its report to Cabinet.
Requests for access to information have been submitted to the Council for Geosciences, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Mineral Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Petroleum Agency of South Africa.
“We have repeatedly asked Minister Shabangu to take the public into her confidence and share information about the fracking task team with TKAG and all other interested and affected South Africans, but our requests have fallen on deaf ears,” said Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG.
“Consequently, we have now been forced to formally request this information under the provisions of PAIA.”
The department of Mineral Resources announced earlier this year that a multi disciplinary task team would be investigating the merits of fracking, and report back to Cabinet. Since then, very little has been made public about the task team or its report.
In its requests, the TKAG asks for, amongst other things:
Terms of reference and/or instructions relating to the research to be conducted by the multi-disciplinary task team on hydraulic fracturing;
The identities and qualifications of the individual task team members;
Minutes of all task team meetings;
A copy of the most recent version of the task team’s report;
All research documents that relate to hydraulic fracturing and which have been, or may be, used by the task team.
“There are so many unanswered questions about this ‘mystery’ task team which has been conducting its affairs behind closed doors. It is time the Minister told us what is going on,” said Deal.
Meanwhile, in a radio debate on SAFM today (Monday), Shell’s Bonang Mohale stated that Shell was in constant contact with government and kept them informed. “Who is Shell speaking to? Who do others not have the same access,” asked Deal.
Under PAIA, the recipients of TKAG's requests have 30 days within which to respond
Requests for access to information have been submitted to the Council for Geosciences, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Mineral Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Petroleum Agency of South Africa.
“We have repeatedly asked Minister Shabangu to take the public into her confidence and share information about the fracking task team with TKAG and all other interested and affected South Africans, but our requests have fallen on deaf ears,” said Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG.
“Consequently, we have now been forced to formally request this information under the provisions of PAIA.”
The department of Mineral Resources announced earlier this year that a multi disciplinary task team would be investigating the merits of fracking, and report back to Cabinet. Since then, very little has been made public about the task team or its report.
In its requests, the TKAG asks for, amongst other things:
Terms of reference and/or instructions relating to the research to be conducted by the multi-disciplinary task team on hydraulic fracturing;
The identities and qualifications of the individual task team members;
Minutes of all task team meetings;
A copy of the most recent version of the task team’s report;
All research documents that relate to hydraulic fracturing and which have been, or may be, used by the task team.
“There are so many unanswered questions about this ‘mystery’ task team which has been conducting its affairs behind closed doors. It is time the Minister told us what is going on,” said Deal.
Meanwhile, in a radio debate on SAFM today (Monday), Shell’s Bonang Mohale stated that Shell was in constant contact with government and kept them informed. “Who is Shell speaking to? Who do others not have the same access,” asked Deal.
Under PAIA, the recipients of TKAG's requests have 30 days within which to respond
“US task team finds gas fracking poses serious risks” August 11, 2011
An American task team found that gas companies run the risk of causing serious environmental damage from hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”). This was welcomed by the Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG).
The team was appointed by US Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and found that the increased use of fracking, which forces water and chemicals into rock, raised the potential for a “serious problem”. (See Bloomberg report, copied below email signature.)
TKAG chairman Jonathan Deal said it was significant to note the task team consisted of predominantly oil and gas industry executives – no community representatives were included – yet the team’s report was critical of its own industry and their own technology.
“Another point to keep in mind is the matter of safety and environmental performance. The US report said this must be enhanced by means of better regulations. We don’t have fracking-specific regulations in South Africa, a fact that has been confirmed by the very companies that are applying for shale gas exploration licenses in South Africa."
“How can we possibly approve fracking in South Africa when the US panel, which apparently includes a representative from Shell, is calling for improved regulation of the industry and warning of serious environmental risks. Even if we had fracking-specific laws, the next important question is whether or not we would have an appropriate degree of governmental oversight and adequate enforcement capabilities,” said Deal.
He said, “South Africa still had a long way to go in terms of a thorough investigation, before we can even consider licensing shale gas mining.”
“Lastly, it is also worth noting that this panel of experts was not convinced that fracking is safe” said Deal.
The team was appointed by US Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and found that the increased use of fracking, which forces water and chemicals into rock, raised the potential for a “serious problem”. (See Bloomberg report, copied below email signature.)
TKAG chairman Jonathan Deal said it was significant to note the task team consisted of predominantly oil and gas industry executives – no community representatives were included – yet the team’s report was critical of its own industry and their own technology.
“Another point to keep in mind is the matter of safety and environmental performance. The US report said this must be enhanced by means of better regulations. We don’t have fracking-specific regulations in South Africa, a fact that has been confirmed by the very companies that are applying for shale gas exploration licenses in South Africa."
“How can we possibly approve fracking in South Africa when the US panel, which apparently includes a representative from Shell, is calling for improved regulation of the industry and warning of serious environmental risks. Even if we had fracking-specific laws, the next important question is whether or not we would have an appropriate degree of governmental oversight and adequate enforcement capabilities,” said Deal.
He said, “South Africa still had a long way to go in terms of a thorough investigation, before we can even consider licensing shale gas mining.”
“Lastly, it is also worth noting that this panel of experts was not convinced that fracking is safe” said Deal.
“Fracking task team is a sham, says lobby group” July 27, 2011
Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) has described the task team investigating fracking as “a sham”, after the Minister of Mineral Resources revealed in parliament yesterday that the departments of Water Affairs and Agriculture were not represented on the team.
And from her reply it is clear that the task team would not be interviewing farmers or businesses or tourism bodies in the Karoo, before making their decision.
The Minister was replying to a written question from Democratic Alliance MP Gareth Morgan. (The reply to question number 1409 is available on request.)
“The constitution of the team and the exclusive nature of its mandate renders any report from it worthless in the debate on fracking,” said Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG.
Deal said that TKAG was specifically concerned about the fact that the department of Mineral Resources awarded complete autonomy to the task team in terms of the date on which the moratorium will be lifted, as well as the terms upon which applications and proposed operations shall be assessed.
“The fact that the task team excludes every other ministry and role player in this country with the exception of Departments of Trade & Industry, Science & Technology and Minerals is for TKAG, a clear indicator of the decision that can be expected from the team – fracking will be given the green light,” he said.
TKAG added that even the working group established by the team comprises only representatives from the Petroleum Association of South Africa, the Council for Geosciences and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
“This is not the way a democratic government should be behaving”, said Deal. “One would expect the task team, which is dealing with such an important issue, to represent all interested parties.
"Fracking has damaged water supplies in a number of American States – and yet there is not a member of the Department of Water Affairs on the task team. Farmers’ land will be disturbed – yet there is no representative of any farmers. There are no environmental NGO’s.”
Deal pointed out that according to the Minister herself, the moratorium was imposed as there were "very serious environmental implications (and) then "we as a cabinet took the decision to put in place a moratorium until we got the answers to that."
"How can the Cabinet expect to find answers to their environmental concerns if the Department of the Environment and the Department of Water are not involved?
"Any answers that the Task Team puts forward will not be the product of taking Cabinet's primary concerns into account, and thus they will be worthless to Cabinet and the interested and affected parties (IAPs) who are relying on Cabinet to make an informed decision", said Deal.
"It was surely a material condition of Cabinet’s call for a moratorium, that the full implications of fracking must be researched - the Task Team will certainly have failed in that respect if they do not take in concerns about the environment and water.
"The manner in which the Task Team has seemingly exercised their powers is so unreasonable that no reasonable person in an administrative position would have conducted themselves in a similar fashion,” said Deal.
In her reply in Parliament, the Minister of Mineral Resources claimed that the public had already had their opportunity to comment on the applications of various companies who wish to mine shale gas, and that there would be no further opportunity for public involvement. No member of civil society will be involved in any way with the team.
"This is totally unacceptable," said Deal. "It is reasonable under the circumstances to be suspicious of bias."
According to Lewis Pugh, the internationally renowned cold water
swimmer, and a member of TKAG, no answers have been forthcoming to questions from the public for more than three months.
"Now we find out that all interested parties will not be consulted. Nor do we know the qualifications of the members of the team.
"In a democracy one would expect the process to be open and transparent. Nothing should be done behind closed doors.
"The fact that this has not occurred leads one to conclude that the decision to frack has been given the go-ahead – and this “Task Team” is simply rubber stamping the decision,” said Pugh.
According to Deal, “this parliamentary reply explains the Minister’s baffling behaviour since April, where she refused to communicate with TKAG and other stakeholders.
"The actions of her department effectively marginalized all of the interest groups and affected parties in South Africa. We’re appalled that key ministries such as Water and Environment, Tourism, Transport, Agriculture and others are excluded from the team.
“Any report from this team which may give the go ahead to fracking will expose the Minister of Mineral Resources to international ridicule and pave the way for a legal opposition from concerned South Africans,” said Deal.
And from her reply it is clear that the task team would not be interviewing farmers or businesses or tourism bodies in the Karoo, before making their decision.
The Minister was replying to a written question from Democratic Alliance MP Gareth Morgan. (The reply to question number 1409 is available on request.)
“The constitution of the team and the exclusive nature of its mandate renders any report from it worthless in the debate on fracking,” said Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG.
Deal said that TKAG was specifically concerned about the fact that the department of Mineral Resources awarded complete autonomy to the task team in terms of the date on which the moratorium will be lifted, as well as the terms upon which applications and proposed operations shall be assessed.
“The fact that the task team excludes every other ministry and role player in this country with the exception of Departments of Trade & Industry, Science & Technology and Minerals is for TKAG, a clear indicator of the decision that can be expected from the team – fracking will be given the green light,” he said.
TKAG added that even the working group established by the team comprises only representatives from the Petroleum Association of South Africa, the Council for Geosciences and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
“This is not the way a democratic government should be behaving”, said Deal. “One would expect the task team, which is dealing with such an important issue, to represent all interested parties.
"Fracking has damaged water supplies in a number of American States – and yet there is not a member of the Department of Water Affairs on the task team. Farmers’ land will be disturbed – yet there is no representative of any farmers. There are no environmental NGO’s.”
Deal pointed out that according to the Minister herself, the moratorium was imposed as there were "very serious environmental implications (and) then "we as a cabinet took the decision to put in place a moratorium until we got the answers to that."
"How can the Cabinet expect to find answers to their environmental concerns if the Department of the Environment and the Department of Water are not involved?
"Any answers that the Task Team puts forward will not be the product of taking Cabinet's primary concerns into account, and thus they will be worthless to Cabinet and the interested and affected parties (IAPs) who are relying on Cabinet to make an informed decision", said Deal.
"It was surely a material condition of Cabinet’s call for a moratorium, that the full implications of fracking must be researched - the Task Team will certainly have failed in that respect if they do not take in concerns about the environment and water.
"The manner in which the Task Team has seemingly exercised their powers is so unreasonable that no reasonable person in an administrative position would have conducted themselves in a similar fashion,” said Deal.
In her reply in Parliament, the Minister of Mineral Resources claimed that the public had already had their opportunity to comment on the applications of various companies who wish to mine shale gas, and that there would be no further opportunity for public involvement. No member of civil society will be involved in any way with the team.
"This is totally unacceptable," said Deal. "It is reasonable under the circumstances to be suspicious of bias."
According to Lewis Pugh, the internationally renowned cold water
swimmer, and a member of TKAG, no answers have been forthcoming to questions from the public for more than three months.
"Now we find out that all interested parties will not be consulted. Nor do we know the qualifications of the members of the team.
"In a democracy one would expect the process to be open and transparent. Nothing should be done behind closed doors.
"The fact that this has not occurred leads one to conclude that the decision to frack has been given the go-ahead – and this “Task Team” is simply rubber stamping the decision,” said Pugh.
According to Deal, “this parliamentary reply explains the Minister’s baffling behaviour since April, where she refused to communicate with TKAG and other stakeholders.
"The actions of her department effectively marginalized all of the interest groups and affected parties in South Africa. We’re appalled that key ministries such as Water and Environment, Tourism, Transport, Agriculture and others are excluded from the team.
“Any report from this team which may give the go ahead to fracking will expose the Minister of Mineral Resources to international ridicule and pave the way for a legal opposition from concerned South Africans,” said Deal.
“There's no future in fracking” July 19, 2011
Oil companies were today (Tuesday) asked to drop their plans to use hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) to extract shale gas from the Karoo and other areas in South Africa.
Speaking at the Shale Gas Conference in Johannesburg, chairman of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) Jonathan Deal said there was not enough evidence at hand that the potential benefits of fracturing could outweigh the attached risks.
"At this juncture of our history, with climate warming on the increase and increased threats to water supplies it would make corporate and social sense to invest research and development funds in seeking renewable energy alternatives, rather than pursuing finite fossil fuels," said Deal.
Deal was attending the 2011 Africa Gas and LNG Summit at the Hyatt Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
“TKAG respects due process and the current Cabinet moratorium on fracking. But this should not prevent oil and gas companies, such as Royal Dutch Shell, from changing their minds about fracking,” said Deal.
Deal also said there was not enough transparency about the departmental task team appointed to investigate the merits of fracking. “In the interest of playing open cards, we call on Energy Minister Dipuo Peters to disband this group. Repeated calls on her for clarity about the task team, and its terms of reference, have fallen on deaf ears.”
Deal said that fracking technology needs a rigorous evaluation that takes into account a number of technical, environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations.
He said that if Shell and other oil and gas companies were granted licences to explore or to produce without a comprehensive cost versus benefit evaluation of fracking's affect, the Karoo could face a social and environmental disaster that would devastate the area and its people.
Speaking at the Shale Gas Conference in Johannesburg, chairman of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) Jonathan Deal said there was not enough evidence at hand that the potential benefits of fracturing could outweigh the attached risks.
"At this juncture of our history, with climate warming on the increase and increased threats to water supplies it would make corporate and social sense to invest research and development funds in seeking renewable energy alternatives, rather than pursuing finite fossil fuels," said Deal.
Deal was attending the 2011 Africa Gas and LNG Summit at the Hyatt Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
“TKAG respects due process and the current Cabinet moratorium on fracking. But this should not prevent oil and gas companies, such as Royal Dutch Shell, from changing their minds about fracking,” said Deal.
Deal also said there was not enough transparency about the departmental task team appointed to investigate the merits of fracking. “In the interest of playing open cards, we call on Energy Minister Dipuo Peters to disband this group. Repeated calls on her for clarity about the task team, and its terms of reference, have fallen on deaf ears.”
Deal said that fracking technology needs a rigorous evaluation that takes into account a number of technical, environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations.
He said that if Shell and other oil and gas companies were granted licences to explore or to produce without a comprehensive cost versus benefit evaluation of fracking's affect, the Karoo could face a social and environmental disaster that would devastate the area and its people.
“TKAG gets the hip hop on fracking” July 18, 2011
A hip hop music video about the dangers of fracking in the Karoo, was today launched in Cape Town.
Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) produced the animated video, along with the vocalist and writer Jitsvinger (a.k.a. Quintin Goliath) as part of their campaign to create awareness about why hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) should not be allowed in South Africa.
TKAG is opposed to the hasty introduction of this technology into South Africa, without due processes being followed and proper research being completed.
“Our drive against fracking has many elements – such as a legal challenge, a challenge to the regulating authority PASA, and community engagements. This music video will become part of our strategy, as we campaign against fracking in South Africa in general and the Karoo in particular,” said Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG.
The music video shows a male character walking across a vibrant Karoo landscape, which gradually changes into a barren landscape due to the effects of fracking activities. The Afrikaans lyrics explain the risks involved and supports the images on screen.
The images are accompanied by a hip hop music track, with vocals by Jitsvinger. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlcNX0XxGhk. The lyrics are printed below, followed by an English translation. Screen grabs of the music video are available upon request, from martin@hwb.co.za
“We hope this video will help us spread the message about the potential risks involved with the use of fracking. If fracking is allowed to be implemented without careful research and planning, it is the entire country that will be directly or indirectly affected.
“We are talking to the youth because they are the ones who will be most affected by the potential social, economic and ecological damage caused through this mining technique,” said Deal.
/ends
[ABOUT TKAG – Treasure the Karoo Action group has emerged as the co-ordinating body, representative of a broad range of stakeholders who are concerned with the plans of oil and gas companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin. Popular support can be followed and joined on Facebook and at www.treasurethekaroo.blogspot.com]
[ABOUT JITSVINGER - Jitsvinger (Quintin Goliath) is an Afrikaaps (Afrikaans with local Cape Town dialect) vernacular and Kyknet Fiestas award winning performer who combines poetry, self-composed music and theatre. He started his assent into the music arena in the mid-90s eventually releasing his self-written debut album Skeletsleutel in 2006. He is currently working on various theatre and music projects, and his follow-up album.]
Afrikaans lyrics
FRACKATTACK!!
Deur JITSVINGER
EERSTE VERS:
HET JY GEHOOR VANNIE NUWE GEVAAR
WAT ELECTRIC VERSKAF SUPPLY MAAR VERNIETIG
SODRA DIT MET DIE WATER CONNECT BROE’?
OLIE COMPANIES PLOEG ‘n DISASTER
BEKEND AS “FRACKING”
‘n HYDRAULIC GEDRIL KRAAK ROTSE
4 KILOMETERS ONDERGROND
INNIE KAROO ISSIE NATUURLIKE GAS GROOT
SOWEL ASSIE SKELM MANIERE VANNIE VULTURES
WATCH OUT!
MOEDERNATUUR HET BESKIKBAAR GESTEL
WAT BEDOEL IS VIR MENS EN DIE AARDE SAAM
HOE KAN JY SO IETS VOLMAAK CORRUPT VIR GELD?
FRACKING VAT DIE HELE PLAN TO HELL
DINK ‘n BIETJIE
CHORUS (X1):
FRACKING!
KAMMA OM WERK TE VERSKAF
HECTIC!
VAT DAAI FLOP TECHNIQUE, VERKAS
FRACKING!
WAT VANNIE MENSE VANNIE LAND?
DIE HABITAT IS KLAAR INTACT
CHECK UIT DIE CULTURE
TWEEDE VERS:
DIT MAAK DIE ECOSYSTEM TOXIC
MULTI-MILLIONS GE-PROFIT
MET SCAMS VAN JOBS GEE
HAIBO! FIGHT DIE SILENCE
HAIKHONA! VIR DAAI POISON
WAT VERSPREI WORD DEUR DIE KRANE, JOE!
ONS BETER YTSTIEK EN EN OPSKUD
VOOR’IE KINDERS BYRIE HUIS SIEK EN VROT SIT
VAN’IE BENZENE, FORMALDEHYDE EN DIESMEER
WEGGESTIEK INNIE WATER SUPPLY DEUR’IE POMPE
DOM IS DAAI METHOD WAT VI ONS GAAN TREF
‘n ALTERNATIVE IS WAT ONS MOET AAN WERK
ORGANIZE TIPS, MAXIMISE EN TRY DIT
VIR SURVIVAL, STIEKYT MET JOU RIGHT TO FIGHT
EK Se!
CHORUS (X2)
English translation
FRACKATTACK!!
By JITSVINGER
Have you heard of the new danger that supplies electricity but will destroy as soon as it connects with water, brother? Oil companies plough a disaster known as fracking: hydraulic drilling fractures rocks 4 kilos underground in the Karoo the natural gas is plentiful, along with the sly tricks of the vultures. Watch out! Mother nature provided what was intended for man and earth together. How can you corrupt something so pure for money? Fracking takes this whole plan to hell Think about it Fracking! Apparently to create jobs Hectic! Take that failed technique and hit the road What about the people of our country? The habitat is already intact, check out the culture It makes the whole ecosystem toxic Multi-millions profited with scams of job creation Haibo! Fight the silence Haikona for that poison that spreads through the taps We better stand up and shake our heads before our children are sick at home from benzene, formaldehyde and more, hidden in the water supply by the pumps :
That method is stupid that's going to hit us. We must look for an alternative, organise tips, maximise and try that for survival, stand up and use you're right to fight!
Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) produced the animated video, along with the vocalist and writer Jitsvinger (a.k.a. Quintin Goliath) as part of their campaign to create awareness about why hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) should not be allowed in South Africa.
TKAG is opposed to the hasty introduction of this technology into South Africa, without due processes being followed and proper research being completed.
“Our drive against fracking has many elements – such as a legal challenge, a challenge to the regulating authority PASA, and community engagements. This music video will become part of our strategy, as we campaign against fracking in South Africa in general and the Karoo in particular,” said Jonathan Deal, chairman of TKAG.
The music video shows a male character walking across a vibrant Karoo landscape, which gradually changes into a barren landscape due to the effects of fracking activities. The Afrikaans lyrics explain the risks involved and supports the images on screen.
The images are accompanied by a hip hop music track, with vocals by Jitsvinger. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlcNX0XxGhk. The lyrics are printed below, followed by an English translation. Screen grabs of the music video are available upon request, from martin@hwb.co.za
“We hope this video will help us spread the message about the potential risks involved with the use of fracking. If fracking is allowed to be implemented without careful research and planning, it is the entire country that will be directly or indirectly affected.
“We are talking to the youth because they are the ones who will be most affected by the potential social, economic and ecological damage caused through this mining technique,” said Deal.
/ends
[ABOUT TKAG – Treasure the Karoo Action group has emerged as the co-ordinating body, representative of a broad range of stakeholders who are concerned with the plans of oil and gas companies to extract shale gas from the Karoo basin. Popular support can be followed and joined on Facebook and at www.treasurethekaroo.blogspot.com]
[ABOUT JITSVINGER - Jitsvinger (Quintin Goliath) is an Afrikaaps (Afrikaans with local Cape Town dialect) vernacular and Kyknet Fiestas award winning performer who combines poetry, self-composed music and theatre. He started his assent into the music arena in the mid-90s eventually releasing his self-written debut album Skeletsleutel in 2006. He is currently working on various theatre and music projects, and his follow-up album.]
Afrikaans lyrics
FRACKATTACK!!
Deur JITSVINGER
EERSTE VERS:
HET JY GEHOOR VANNIE NUWE GEVAAR
WAT ELECTRIC VERSKAF SUPPLY MAAR VERNIETIG
SODRA DIT MET DIE WATER CONNECT BROE’?
OLIE COMPANIES PLOEG ‘n DISASTER
BEKEND AS “FRACKING”
‘n HYDRAULIC GEDRIL KRAAK ROTSE
4 KILOMETERS ONDERGROND
INNIE KAROO ISSIE NATUURLIKE GAS GROOT
SOWEL ASSIE SKELM MANIERE VANNIE VULTURES
WATCH OUT!
MOEDERNATUUR HET BESKIKBAAR GESTEL
WAT BEDOEL IS VIR MENS EN DIE AARDE SAAM
HOE KAN JY SO IETS VOLMAAK CORRUPT VIR GELD?
FRACKING VAT DIE HELE PLAN TO HELL
DINK ‘n BIETJIE
CHORUS (X1):
FRACKING!
KAMMA OM WERK TE VERSKAF
HECTIC!
VAT DAAI FLOP TECHNIQUE, VERKAS
FRACKING!
WAT VANNIE MENSE VANNIE LAND?
DIE HABITAT IS KLAAR INTACT
CHECK UIT DIE CULTURE
TWEEDE VERS:
DIT MAAK DIE ECOSYSTEM TOXIC
MULTI-MILLIONS GE-PROFIT
MET SCAMS VAN JOBS GEE
HAIBO! FIGHT DIE SILENCE
HAIKHONA! VIR DAAI POISON
WAT VERSPREI WORD DEUR DIE KRANE, JOE!
ONS BETER YTSTIEK EN EN OPSKUD
VOOR’IE KINDERS BYRIE HUIS SIEK EN VROT SIT
VAN’IE BENZENE, FORMALDEHYDE EN DIESMEER
WEGGESTIEK INNIE WATER SUPPLY DEUR’IE POMPE
DOM IS DAAI METHOD WAT VI ONS GAAN TREF
‘n ALTERNATIVE IS WAT ONS MOET AAN WERK
ORGANIZE TIPS, MAXIMISE EN TRY DIT
VIR SURVIVAL, STIEKYT MET JOU RIGHT TO FIGHT
EK Se!
CHORUS (X2)
English translation
FRACKATTACK!!
By JITSVINGER
Have you heard of the new danger that supplies electricity but will destroy as soon as it connects with water, brother? Oil companies plough a disaster known as fracking: hydraulic drilling fractures rocks 4 kilos underground in the Karoo the natural gas is plentiful, along with the sly tricks of the vultures. Watch out! Mother nature provided what was intended for man and earth together. How can you corrupt something so pure for money? Fracking takes this whole plan to hell Think about it Fracking! Apparently to create jobs Hectic! Take that failed technique and hit the road What about the people of our country? The habitat is already intact, check out the culture It makes the whole ecosystem toxic Multi-millions profited with scams of job creation Haibo! Fight the silence Haikona for that poison that spreads through the taps We better stand up and shake our heads before our children are sick at home from benzene, formaldehyde and more, hidden in the water supply by the pumps :
That method is stupid that's going to hit us. We must look for an alternative, organise tips, maximise and try that for survival, stand up and use you're right to fight!