Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - South African petrochemicals group Sasol is keen to invest in a domestic shale industry once it gets off the ground, its chief executive said, in a potential challenge to oil major Royal Dutch Shell.
Cabinet proposed new regulations to govern exploration for shale gas late last year after it lifted a 2012 moratorium on the activity in the central Karoo region.
Fracking in the region might tap what is believed to be some of the world's biggest reserves of the energy source and the government wants to develop an industry that it sees as a potential game-changer.
"I am very excited because of the technologies we can bring to the table. We've got shale gas upstream experience in British Columbia," Sasol chief executive David Constable said on Monday.
Time to participate and monetize
"We want to get involved and participate and monetize that gas in country with gas to liquid, gas to power, gas to chemicals," he said after the group posted a 26% rise in half-year earnings.
Shell has applied for an exploration licence and once all of the new regulations are in place it is expected to be near the front of the line.
Constable said Sasol wanted to take part. "We are really interested in what is going in the Shell block and would love to farm in or take a piece of it. Shell is issuing profit warnings and pulling back capex right now," he said.
PIC wants big slice of shale pie
South Africa's Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which is Sasol's biggest shareholder with a 13% stake in the company and manages R1.4 trillion in civil servant retirement funds, has also said it wants a big slice of the shale pie.
Fracking involves pumping pressurised water, chemicals and sand underground to release gas trapped in shale formations and the prospect of it occurring in the semi-arid and sparsely-populated Karoo region, known for its big skies and scenery, has raised concerns anong conservationists.
Constable said Sasol's experience in British Columbia would enable the company to carry out the process "in an environmentally friendly fashion."
Cabinet proposed new regulations to govern exploration for shale gas late last year after it lifted a 2012 moratorium on the activity in the central Karoo region.
Fracking in the region might tap what is believed to be some of the world's biggest reserves of the energy source and the government wants to develop an industry that it sees as a potential game-changer.
"I am very excited because of the technologies we can bring to the table. We've got shale gas upstream experience in British Columbia," Sasol chief executive David Constable said on Monday.
Time to participate and monetize
"We want to get involved and participate and monetize that gas in country with gas to liquid, gas to power, gas to chemicals," he said after the group posted a 26% rise in half-year earnings.
Shell has applied for an exploration licence and once all of the new regulations are in place it is expected to be near the front of the line.
Constable said Sasol wanted to take part. "We are really interested in what is going in the Shell block and would love to farm in or take a piece of it. Shell is issuing profit warnings and pulling back capex right now," he said.
PIC wants big slice of shale pie
South Africa's Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which is Sasol's biggest shareholder with a 13% stake in the company and manages R1.4 trillion in civil servant retirement funds, has also said it wants a big slice of the shale pie.
Fracking involves pumping pressurised water, chemicals and sand underground to release gas trapped in shale formations and the prospect of it occurring in the semi-arid and sparsely-populated Karoo region, known for its big skies and scenery, has raised concerns anong conservationists.
Constable said Sasol's experience in British Columbia would enable the company to carry out the process "in an environmentally friendly fashion."
