EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF WATER FOR EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OF ONSHORE NATURALLY OCCURRING HYDROCARBONS THAT REQUIRE STIMULATION, INCLUDING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING AND UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION, TO EXTRACT AND ANY ACTIVITY INCIDENTAL THERETO THAT MAY IMPACT DETRIMENTALLY ON THE WATER RESOURCE PUBLISHED IN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE 44545 ON 7 MAY 2021
Notice Title: National Water Act: Extending period for comments of the draft Regulations on Unconventional Gas for public comments
Government Notice: GN 630 in GG 44866 on 16 July 2021
Effective date: Comments to be submitted by 14 September 2021
The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation has published a notice of intention to make Regulations on the exploration and production of onshore unconventional gas developments in terms of section 26(1)(g) of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998, read together with Government Notice 999 of 16 October 2015.
The purpose of these proposed regulations is to protect the water resource so as to avoid and minimise detrimental and cumulative impacts on the water resource by the controlled activity (i.e. exploration and production of onshore naturally occurring hydrocarbons that requires stimulation, including hydraulic fracturing and underground gasification, to extract, and any activity incidental thereto that may impact detrimentally on the water resource.)
These proposed regulations will apply throughout the Republic of South Africa to all onshore exploration and production operations for unconventional oil or gas that may impact detrimentally on the water resource.
The proposed regulations provide amongst other for the following:
- Application and licensing requirements,
- Prohibitions,
- Drilling and fluid management, and
- Disclosure.
The deadline for members of the public to submit written comments or input has been extended with an additional 60 days (i.e. 14 September 2021). For a copy of the Government Notice click here.
For assistance or queries please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za
