Developing a groundwater vulnerability map for unconventional oil and gas extraction: a case study from South Africa

Esterhuyse, Surina

doi:10.1007/s12665-017-6961-6

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…Fracking, which requires large volumes of water, is used in UOG production to release the gas and is used specifically in shale gas extraction. Fracking can, however, also be used in CBM extraction if depressurization methods do not release the trapped gas effectively [ 5 ]. In Australia, fracking is often used together with other gas stimulation methods during CBM development, and in the future, fracking could be used in as much as 40% of CBM wells [ 24 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A mobile application to protect groundwater during unconventional oil and gas extraction

Worthmann

Esterhuyse

2022

R. Soc. open sci.

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Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) is an important energy source for many countries, but requires large quantities of water for its development, and may pollute water resources. Regulations are one of the main tools to achieve government policy on natural resource protection. South Africa, which is energy-constrained, but also water-scarce, is currently considering UOG extraction as an additional energy resource. UOG development could commence as soon as regulations to protect natural resources such as water have been published. Such regulations are, however, often not effectively enforced, which negatively affects the protection of water resources during UOG extraction. This study addresses these enforcement challenges in South Africa. It focuses on the science–society–policy interface by proposing a civic informatics platform to assist with on-the-ground enforcement of regulations via a mobile application. This mobile application aims to address both groundwater monitoring and management as well as UOG extraction operations in a single platform, to enable regulators to protect groundwater resources more effectively during UOG extraction, while simultaneously enhancing transparency in the UOG industry.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A mobile application to protect groundwater during unconventional oil and gas extraction

Worthmann

Esterhuyse

2022

R. Soc. open sci.

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“…In terms of developing vulnerability maps with the vulnerability indicators ‘surface water’, ‘groundwater’, ‘vegetation’, ‘seismicity’ and ‘socio-economics’, similar aspects would also warrant protection in countries that plan to embark on UOG extraction, or where UOG extraction is already performed [ 3 , 34 ]. However, the unique features in South Africa in terms of complex geology where dolerite dykes intruded the native country rocks [ 11 , 35 ], the complex fractured rock aquifer systems [ 11 , 36 ] and the limited water availability [ 34 , 37 ] warrant a cautious approach regarding water resources in our endeavour to extract UOG, because the environmental and socio-economic consequences linked to impacts of UOG extraction on water resources may be much more severe than in other countries where UOG is currently extracted. As the mapping methodology is based on a comparison of more vulnerable areas with less vulnerable areas, it does not prescribe the absolute content of specific indicators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper discusses the development of a South African UOG vulnerability map that covers the whole country, in a project that was performed for the South African Water Research Commission [ 11 ]. No UOG resources are currently being extracted in South Africa, but may become a possibility in the future.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It focuses on five mapping themes: surface water, groundwater, vegetation, seismicity and socio-economic aspects. These mapping themes have been based on the most important impacts from UOG extraction on resources [ 11 ]. The map ( ) displays regional scale South African data that may indicate vulnerable localities for these mapping themes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vulnerability mapping as a tool to manage the environmental impacts of oil and gas extraction

et al. 2017

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Various biophysical and socio-economic impacts may be associated with unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction. A vulnerability map may assist governments during environmental assessments, spatial planning and the regulation of UOG extraction, as well as decision-making around UOG extraction in fragile areas. A regional interactive vulnerability map was developed for UOG extraction in South Africa. This map covers groundwater, surface water, vegetation, socio-economics and seismicity as mapping themes, based on impacts that may emanate from UOG extraction. The mapping themes were developed using a normative approach, where expert input during the identification and classification of vulnerability indicators may increase the acceptability of the resultant map. This article describes the development of the interactive vulnerability map for South Africa, where UOG extraction is not yet allowed and where regulations are still being developed to manage this activity. The importance and policy implications of using vulnerability maps for managing UOG extraction impacts in countries where UOG extraction is planned are highlighted in this article.

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“…A recent strategic environmental assessment for shale gas development in the Karoo region of South Africa found that no additional surface water or groundwater resources are available for UOG extraction, and that companies must consider importing seawater for their fracking operations (Hobbs et al, 2016). This highlights the importance of developing a proper regulatory framework to protect groundwater resources in South Africa during UOG extraction (Esterhuyse, 2017;Esterhuyse, Kemp, & Redelinghuys, 2013;Esterhuyse, Redelinghuys, & Kemp, 2016). F I G U R E 1 Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction regulatory trends.…”

Section: Worldwide Uog Extraction Regulatory Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulations to protect groundwater resources during unconventional oil and gas extraction using fracking

2019

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Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction using fracking can damage groundwater resources, a crucial resource in many countries. Protecting groundwater will become more urgent as climate change and population growth increase pressure on water demand, especially in water‐scarce countries. But despite the strategic importance of groundwater, it is often poorly managed during UOG extraction. This review considers three types of regulation (command‐and‐control, market‐based and voluntary) in countries where UOG extraction is allowed, to identify the best suite of regulations to protect groundwater resources during this process. We propose a regulatory framework that includes both “hard” command‐and‐control regulations and “soft” market‐based and voluntary regulations. If regulations are to protect groundwater resources effectively, public disclosure of UOG operations must be required and the information must be stored in publicly accessible databases. This would allow for independent scientific review of data by academia and the private sector, in addition to government scrutiny of the data. These parties can then make recommendations to government, allowing timeous and appropriate adaptive management and the amendment of regulations as necessary. And, most importantly, these regulations must be properly enforced to avoid (in some cases irreversible) damage to groundwater resources. This article is characterized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Human Water > Water Governance Science of Water > Water Quality

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Developing a groundwater vulnerability map for unconventional oil and gas extraction: a case study from South Africa

Cited by 10 publications

References 16 publications

A mobile application to protect groundwater during unconventional oil and gas extraction

A mobile application to protect groundwater during unconventional oil and gas extraction

Vulnerability mapping as a tool to manage the environmental impacts of oil and gas extraction

Regulations to protect groundwater resources during unconventional oil and gas extraction using fracking

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