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
Government
TKAG Submissions
Treasure Karoo Action Group submitted the Critical Review of Shell's draft EMP during the period allowed for public participation during January and February 2011. On 20 April 2011, Cabinet endorsed the invocation of a moratorium on gas exploration in the Karoo by the Department of Mineral Resources.
In July 2011 the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) made a ruling in terms of which Shell was ordered to withdraw certain claims it had made in newspaper advertisements regarding hydraulic fracturing, after TKAG lodged a complaint regarding unsubstantiated claims that were misleading on various counts. In particular, some of the main reasons for lodging the complaint were due to the manner in which the environmental damage that could be caused to the Karoo was being downplayed in the advertisements. Since the ASA ruling Shell has not placed fracking-related advertisements in South African newspapers.
In August 2011, Minister Shabangu extended the moratorium by another 6 months.
In July 2011 the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) made a ruling in terms of which Shell was ordered to withdraw certain claims it had made in newspaper advertisements regarding hydraulic fracturing, after TKAG lodged a complaint regarding unsubstantiated claims that were misleading on various counts. In particular, some of the main reasons for lodging the complaint were due to the manner in which the environmental damage that could be caused to the Karoo was being downplayed in the advertisements. Since the ASA ruling Shell has not placed fracking-related advertisements in South African newspapers.
In August 2011, Minister Shabangu extended the moratorium by another 6 months.
List of Government Departments
Department of Mineral Affairs
Minister Susan Shabangu
Tel: 021 462 2310
Fax: 021 461 0859
Personal assistant: kholofelo.madisha@dmr.gov.za
Parliamentary committee on Mineral Resources
Chairperson: Mpumelelo Frederick Gona
Tel: 021 403 3751/083 709 8520
Committee clerk: nskaka@@parliament.gov.za
Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
Minister Edna Molewa
Tel: 012 336 8733/021 464 1500
Fax: 012 336 7817
Personal Assistant: raganyag@dwa.gov.za
Parliamentary committee on Water and Environmental Affairs
Chairperson: Johnny de Lange
Tel: 021 403 3713/ 083 709 8401
Secretary: tmadubela@parliament.gov.za
Department of Energy
Minister Elizabeth Dipuo Peters
Tel: 012 444 4333/ 021 469 6425
Fax: 012 444 4505/ 021 465 5980
Private secretary: Margaret.khoza@energy.gov.za
Parliamentary committee on energy
Chairperson: Sisa James Njikelana
Tel: 021 403 2448/ 021 403 8257/ 083 709 8507
Clerk: pgwebu@parliament.gov.za
Parliament: 021 403 2911
Govt Information Services: 021 461 8143
Minister Susan Shabangu
Tel: 021 462 2310
Fax: 021 461 0859
Personal assistant: kholofelo.madisha@dmr.gov.za
Parliamentary committee on Mineral Resources
Chairperson: Mpumelelo Frederick Gona
Tel: 021 403 3751/083 709 8520
Committee clerk: nskaka@@parliament.gov.za
Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
Minister Edna Molewa
Tel: 012 336 8733/021 464 1500
Fax: 012 336 7817
Personal Assistant: raganyag@dwa.gov.za
Parliamentary committee on Water and Environmental Affairs
Chairperson: Johnny de Lange
Tel: 021 403 3713/ 083 709 8401
Secretary: tmadubela@parliament.gov.za
Department of Energy
Minister Elizabeth Dipuo Peters
Tel: 012 444 4333/ 021 469 6425
Fax: 012 444 4505/ 021 465 5980
Private secretary: Margaret.khoza@energy.gov.za
Parliamentary committee on energy
Chairperson: Sisa James Njikelana
Tel: 021 403 2448/ 021 403 8257/ 083 709 8507
Clerk: pgwebu@parliament.gov.za
Parliament: 021 403 2911
Govt Information Services: 021 461 8143