Shale could double Australia’s gas resources – Minister

Australian shale gas resources could potentially be significant and could double the country’s overall gas resource, which is estimated to last for another 184 years, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson reported this week. The...

Strong economic case for lifting shale exploration ban, economist argues

The material macroeconomic, energy security and employment benefits that could potentially flow from developing the southern Karoo’s shale-gas resources offered a compelling case for government to consider lifting the current ban on exploration,...

27/01/2012 (On-The-Air)

South Africa is set to benefit from its strong position in vanadium, which is being developed to store electricity; the US government is now offering South Africa’s free insights into the money-making shale-gas business; and South Africa’s one...

Polish PGNiG, KGHM, PGE, Tauron join forces on shale gas

Poland's gas monopoly PGNiG said on Wednesday it will work with the country's largest copper miner KGHM and two top utilities PGE and Tauron, all state-owned, exploring for shale gas. The statement came after Warsaw said it wanted state-owned...

Mining-heavy SA industry group issues carbon tax warning

An industry lobby group comprising large mining groups and mineral processing companies is cautioning against the proposed introduction of a carbon tax in South Africa until South Africa has fully charted its abatement potential and the costs...

Gas exploration in South Africa to yield fruitful results

Significant gas-related developments are expected in South Africa in the coming years, as numerous new surveys have been conducted offshore in previously underexplored areas, reports exploration developer Petroleum Agency South Africa (Pasa).

Onshore gas explorers adopt new code

Onshore gas explorers in Western Australia this week adopted a code of practice to set industry standards for the state’s next generation of clean energy production. The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Appea)...

Sasol says gas-heavy growth pipeline ‘double-dip’ proof

Energy and chemicals group Sasol expects to spend about R63-billion on capital investments during its 2012 and 2013 financial years and insists it has the financial muscle to press ahead with its gas-heavy growth projects, as well as further gas...

More technical work needed to define SA’s shale gas framework

The exploitation of shale gas in South Africa could be a "game changer" for the gas sector, a senior Department of Energy (DoE) official said on Tuesday. But he also appealed for patience to allow a Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) task team...

Shabangu extends shale gas prospecting moratorium

Mining Minister Susan Shabangu has extended a moratorium on prospecting for shale gas for a further six months, to allow time for public consultation on the matter. The extension would be published in the Government Gazette, she told journalists...

The Shale Gale

THE SHALE GALE – A drilling rig at Petrohawk Energy Corporation’s Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. The world’s largest mining company BHP Billiton, headed by South African Marius Kloppers and listed on the London Stock Exchange, has made a...

BHP says waiting period for $12bn Petrohawk bid cut

Diversified giant BHP Billiton would be filing its takeover offer documents for shale gas company Petrohawk Energy with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday, after the mandatory waiting period was reduced. The mining...