'SKA threat will be halted'

The exploration of shale gas in the Karoo will be halted if it negatively affects the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, said mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu yesterday.

SA and its African partners won the right to host 70% of the mega-telescope, which will be the world's largest. It is hosted in the Karoo and the idea of shale gas exploration or fracking in the area was previously described as a threat to the project.

The proposed fracking was put forward by oil company Shell to explore for gas in an area of more than 90 000 square kilometres, in the South Western Karoo Basin.

Since this is where the SKA will be hosted, the exploration would have threatened SA's bid against Australia to host the telescope.

However, due to several reasons, including the amount of water needed for the process, Cabinet in February 2011 invoked a moratorium on proposed licences for fracking.

Cabinet last week lifted the moratorium, after investigations were done into the effect of fracking in the area. It did say that further public consultations on the matter must take place.

Government will stop the exploration if it is found that hydraulic fracturing poses a risk to the water table and to the multibillion-rand SKA telescope, said Shabangu.

The Department of Mineral Resources led a multidisciplinary team, including the departments of trade and industry and science and technology, among others, to fully research all the implications of the proposed fracking.

Shabangu yesterday presented part of the research report at a briefing, saying the report set out certain conditions which may lead to the exploration process being halted.

"We are a water-scarce country. If the process is such that there is a threat to water in SA, we would have to stop the process... if there is going to be an extremely negative impact on SKA and they cannot mitigate it, we may need to stop the process."

The report acknowledges that the low level of population density in the Karoo makes it an ideal site for astronomical observation, and constitutes the basis of SA's bid to host the SKA.

“Unmitigated radio-frequency emissions produced by the operation of heavy industrial equipment in shale gas exploration and production are expected to be detrimental to radio-astronomy operations.

“Although this matter requires more detailed analysis and investigation, the current study suggests that suitable mitigatory measures be established to accommodate both,” says the report.

It adds that it is expected there will be a process of sections that will delineate areas where exploration and production activities of shale gas will be precluded. Site-specific analysis will be a prerequisite for operations in areas defined by the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act.

The task team that conducted the study suggested the SKA SA project office work closely with the department to ensure the telescope venture is not compromised.

“While considering the implications of hydraulic fracturing, it is important to note that the effect of an extended ban, moratorium or stringent regulation can best be described as a reduction of economic opportunity (opportunity cost),” says the report.

It adds that such measures would delay or prevent an improvement of the understanding of the real extent of the potential resource.

The task team recommended that normal exploration (excluding the actual hydraulic fracturing), such as geological field mapping and other data-gathering activities (for example, hydrological studies) be allowed to proceed under the existing regulatory framework.

It also recommended a monitoring committee be formed to ensure comprehensive and co-ordinated augmentation of the regulatory framework and supervision of operations. It adds that appropriate regulations, controls and co-ordination systems must be established.

Associate director of the SKA SA project, Anita Loots, previously said the actual fracking may cause a problem at a later stage, but the immediate concern was around strong radio signals that will be present because of the exploration.

She explained that some of the physical requirements for the selection of the site included an "extremely radio-quiet environment", and it should be at least 3 000km in extent.

Not only would Shell's plans result in radio frequency interference, but - according to SKA SA project manager Bernie Fanaroff - drilling rigs around the area would also interfere with the telescope.

The SKA is a mega-telescope, about 100 times more sensitive than the biggest existing radio telescope. It will consist of approximately 3 000 dish-shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies.

Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor this week said the SKA can be justified in terms of foreign investment, job creation and international esteem.

“The SKA will bring in a billion euros in capital and operational expenditure. Where every radio telescope station is built, thousands of local jobs will be created. SKA will help in the provision of access to broadband connectivity in rural areas.”