Business Live: Shale exploration 'will get all clear'

Shale gas exploration will eventually happen in South Africa, despite environmental concerns, says Ernst & Young's Elias Pungong. 

Although environmental concerns are one of the top 10 risks to the oil and gas sector, companies which extract these resources always find a way to address concerns, he said.

"Oil and gas is a dirty industry, but I cannot think of a single project which has not gone ahead because of environmental concerns."

Pungong said increasing demand for South Africa to have security of energy supply will play a role.

Although environmental and other groups have been fighting plans to extract shale in the Karoo by fracking, Pungong said this is not the major issue stalling plans.

"The main issues are the available technology, the costs and the infrastructure to use the gas."  MORE