The battle line has been drawn between Environmentalists and the South African government over the latter's desire to allow Royal Dutch Shell Plc carry out shale gas drilling in the South African country, with farmers and conservationists like billionaire Johann Rupert insisting that the land would be spoiled. Also, landowners are lining up against the water-intensive drilling techniques that Europe's biggest oil company intends to use.
The government estimates enough gas can be discovered to generate 1 trillion rand (US$1 billion) of sales within three decades and help bring a country that imports 70% of its crude oil needs closer to supplying its own energy demand.
The drilling would be carried out in the Karoo semi-desert, which is a vast region that covers more than 400,000 square kilometres, around 40% of South Africa's land mass, and has remained virtually undeveloped for hundreds of mullions of years.
Rob Davies, the trade and industry minister, said that the cabinet has agreed to begin shale gas exploration in Karoo before the next year's general elections.
Environmentalists are angered and have promised to fight the decision in court.
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