Fracking draft regulations released
CAPE TOWN — The Department of Mineral Resources yesterday released draft regulations for the exploration and exploitation of the country’s petroleum resources, a move that signals the government’s resolve to develop and benefit from the nascent industry.
The regulations include the proposed rules to govern hydraulic fracturing (fracking), the process whereby shale gas is extracted using highpressure water and chemicals.
The department has allowed for 30 days from yesterday for public comment on the draft regulations.
The department’s director- general, Thibedi Ramontja, told Parliament’s mineral resources committee yesterday that the final regulations would be published soon after the deadline date, although he did not give a definite time frame.
He said the actual physical exploration of shale gas in the Karoo could start soon after the final regulations were published. Mr Ramontja also said the final regulations “… would incorporate some of the public comment received”.
The draft regulations come a week after Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said at a postCabinet media briefing that the regulations were due to be released.
She also let slip that the government would want a “free carry” interest of 20% and might want another 30% while paying marketrelated prices in all new petroleum projects.
The draft regulations make no mention of that requirement as they are concerned with the technical details of petroleum exploration.
The six chapters of the regulations deal with site selection for exploration, and the environmental impact assessments that must be conducted. They also deal with water resource assessment, the risk of the effects of fracking in an area, and the protection of astronomy areas.
This relates to areas in the Karoo that have been designated as part of the multibillion-rand Square Kilometre Array telescope.
Also in the new draft regulations is well design and construction, operations and management, disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracking fluids, and the management of waste.
Treasure Karoo Action Group CEO Jonathan Deal has attacked the draft regulations.
He said they put policy ahead of science, especially in the water management section as fracking fluids were known to travel further than the 1km radius mentioned in the regulations. “We have historical fact that (now defunct) Soekor used fluids in 1967 that contaminated natural springs up to 34km away.”
Mr Deal also said the period for public comment was far too short, even for organisations and companies that were up to date with the developments in the sector.
“Essentially, these draft regulations are like putting lipstick on a pig. There is no proper science behind them,” he said.
A spokesperson for Shell SA said it would study the draft regulations and welcomed the discussions over fracking. Shell SA has applied to explore an area of 250,000km ² in the ecologically sensitive Karoo for shale gas deposits.
Democratic Alliance MP James Lorimer said he cautiously welcomed the draft regulations, but would need to study them before making a more definite comment.