The other
day I received an invite from the Pretoria Art Museum to the opening exhibition:
The Industrial
Karoo - FEAR&LOSS
a
powerful collection of artworks curated by Katie Barnard du Toit (4 March)
The exhibition closes on Sunday, 26 April
2015.
Museum hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 10:00 to 17:00
Closed on Mondays and public holidays
Cnr Francis Baard (Schoeman) and Wessels
Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia Tel:
012 358 6750
|
An amazing collection was shown at this exhibition, showcasing work of
more than 80 artists illustrating various themes around FRACKING and the environmental destruction of the Karoo. Below are
some of the works on display.
Now, I’ve heard of shale gas, its extraction and the economic
possibilities such an exercise could bring to the Karoo and South Africa in
general. Imagine my surprise and new found curiosity when I arrived at this
opening. I honestly didn’t have enough knowledge on the subject (fracking,
shale gas) I actually do not believe my ignorance in this regard. I decided to
go read up on the subject and the predicament faced by South Africa and the
residents of the Karoo.
This is what I found
out
According to Investopedia FRACKING is:
“A slang term for Hydraulic
Fracturing. Fracking refers to the procedure of creating fractures in rocks
and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them further open.
The larger fissures allow more oil and gas to flow out of the formation and
into the wellbore, from where it can be extracted.”
The process is extremely water intensive requiring about four million
litres to complete a fracked well in a single direction.
The Karoo is the largest
ecosystem in South Africa and is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all
having adapted to survive an unforgiving landscape.
THE ENERGY REALITY
According to
Consultancy Africa Intelligence (CAI):
· Energy demand continues to rise worldwide; the
International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global energy use grew by 39%
between 1990 and 2008.(6) Brent crude oil prices have also been on an upward
spiral from about US$ 96 to US$ 113 a barrel from January 2011 to September
2012. This has pushed a lot of research into the exploration of alternative
sources of energy. A new school of thought
suggests that gas is the solution, as it burns cleaner than coal. Shale gas, in
particular, has attracted the greatest attention due to its success in the US
and its perceived global abundance. The success of shale gas will result in
natural gas prices remaining below US$ 5 per 1,000 cubic feet until 2023,
according to the US Energy Information Administration's 2012 Annual Energy
Outlook. It is also considered that shale gas might generate more fossil energy
than all global oil and coal combined.
· A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the
US found that, in 2009, the oil and gas industry supported 9.2 million jobs and
contributed 7.7% of gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Shale Gas
Market Report 2012-2022, the global shale gas market is quite lucrative, having
been valued at US$ 36.95 billion in 2012. Many countries are beginning to
examine the potential of shale gas as an alternative source of fuel as part of
their energy security strategies.
South Africa’s benefits
· The country faces an imminent energy crisis as
its current demand exceeds supply. Shale gas could very well be a long-term
solution to South Africa's dire power problems as 85% of the
nation's electricity currently originates from coal.
· Shale gas will uphold South Africa's efforts of
reducing its carbon emission by 42% by 2025 under the Copenhagen Accord.
· Shale gas exploration will satisfy the country's
future energy needs and the significant contribution it will have on GDP,
adding up to ZAR 200 billion (US$ 23 billion), and the establishment of up to
700,000 jobs.
· The Karoo shale gas report by Econometrix
economist and principal analyst Tony Twine, states that if the shale gas
estimates were confirmed, the country would have 400 years' worth of energy
supply.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL REALITY
· This controversial drilling technique has
instigated global protests and debate over its environmental impact.
· Fracking uses vast amounts of clean water fused
with chemicals to split underground rocks to withdraw shale gas. There exists
the possibility of polluting surface and underground water through this
exercise.
· Water in the Karoo could be contaminated causing
dire consequences for an area that was already dry.
· There has been talk of 'green' fracking fluids
in an effort to reduce the potential water pollution, but because they are
expensive, there is doubt that cost-cutting corporations will use them.
Besides, these fluids do not mitigate the amount of water used. Can the country
afford to sacrifice millions of litres of clean water required for a single
well at the expense of its people and animal life? South Africa is already a
water-scarce country and the Karoo is a particularly dry area. Fracking is
clearly not sustainable under current conditions.
It is quite a dilemma, a situation that requires sound leadership.
Yes, energy is a crisis in this country and we will all love to see the end of
load shedding. The energy supply that is said to be the benefit of shale gas
will bring about more than just light to our communities but will also create
jobs thus contributing to a better life for all <-------How fantastic is that??
On the other hand, the same sound leadership is expected to listen to
the voices on the ground. Listen to the voices of the people who make up the
Karoo, listen to the voices of the people who make up South Africa. It is crucial
that decisive research evidence on fracking surfaces. Also the amount of shale
gas reserves on the ground must be confirmed before decisions of this magnitude
are taken. While all that is being done the country will need to critically
assess the after-effects of this type of mining.
If life was easy I would ask “what are other methods of extracting
shale gas? Is there another way of doing this besides fracking?” These
questions I ask as I understand the need for energy supply, economic growth as
well as saving our environment.
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