South Africa energy Karoo Basin Shale Gas Prospects

South Africa’s Karoo Basin holds one of the world’s largest technically recoverable shale gas resources, once estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet. Exploration has long been constrained by environmental and legislative hurdles, though the government has indicated plans to ease restrictions once detailed regulations are finalized. While no exploration wells have been drilled yet due to environmental and regulatory challenges, the long-term potential remains significant.

Opportunities for U.S. Companies:
•    Environmental & water services: Groundwater mapping, produced-water treatment, methane leak detection.
•    Regulatory & Environmental/Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) expertise: U.S. firms with Please spell out (National Environmental Policy Act/ Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) experience to support permitting and public participation.
•    Subsurface technology: Basin modeling, geomechanics, shale analytics, and pilot well planning.
•    Future commercialization: Modular CNG/LNG, micro-power plants, or gas-to-fertilizer projects if pilot wells succeed.

Call to Action: Interested in opportunities in South Africa’s shale gas sector? 

Contact Mpilo.Mahlangu@trade.gov for more details.