Shale Gas Will be Game Changer for South Africa

Shale gas exploration in the Karoo will be a game changer for the region, as well as for the South African economy, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

“The development of petroleum, especially shale gas, will be a game changer for the Karoo region and the South African economy. Having evaluated the risks and opportunities, the final regulations will be released soon and will be followed by the processing and granting of licences,” said President Zuma in his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA), reports South African government official news agency SA News.

Country’s Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu earlier this month said the country would soon start fracking in the Karoo.

Shabungu’s department had published the technical regulations for the development of shale gas for public comment. The minister said South Africa has a potential of exploiting 485 trillion cubic feet of shale gas.

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