Given that SA has the fifth-largest shale reserves in the world, the debate of how, and by whom, these may or may not be exploited is a serious one The discussion around the proposed "fracking" in the search for shale gas in SA's pristine Karoo has been as emotional as the subject has been controversial. But judging by a debate, held in Johannesburg on Wednesday May 25, on whether or not the current moratorium on exploration should be indefinite, public opinion seemed to have swung in favour: 82 voted for fracking, and 31 against. Despite one audience member's joke that "the Shell bus is leaving around the corner in five minutes", the outcome of the debate was the result of some compelling arguments (from both sides) - minus the emotion. Given that SA has the fifth-largest shale reserves in the world, the debate of how, and by whom, these may or may not be exploited is a serious one. Arguing for the use of fracking was Prof Philip Lloyd of the Energy Institute at Cape Peninsula Univ...
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