Petition to stop fracking for oil in the Kavango region

[fourfive8]

As to the rape of natural resources in various countries in Africa? Whether or not roads are cut into wild areas for fracking or some other extraction of any kind, it is just a very small fraction of the overall short and long-term destruction going on. China is like a large, wealthy and powerful swarm of locusts. They could not care less about environmental issues and only supply "show" examples and cosign environmental treaties and accords for the optics benefit of a willing and complicit world media. They simply and apparently easily maintain their third world status label so as to be exempted from restrictive international environmental regulations. Chinese eco-tourist business on the front- rape of resources behind the curtain... yet sometimes hiding in plain view if you know what to look for or what you're looking at.

A few years ago, I was witness to and involved in the investigation of a Chinese timber operation in rural Africa. Chinese middle man with a pocket full of cash was sent in first. He purchased equipment for hardwood "harvest", recruited local labor and greased the palm of a local official for issuance of a timber harvest permit. The locals we talked to were being paid something like the equivalent of $1.50 USD per tree to cut large, very old hardwoods of various species, some valued at several thousand dollars each as an end product in China. The local laborers get paid starvation wages, the local official gets a salary bonus and that's about it, economically, for the African country being raped. Don't even tell me of the local potential economic benefits of such activity!

While in Zambia one time, I overheard an ex-pat Brit talking about how good that type of "economic" agreement with China would be for the Zambian government and for the local Zambian economy if large tracts of hardwoods were "harvested" there for export to China... Good grief! Even some semi-locals, who should know better, have been brainwashed at some level by the international, "global think" media.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

An article with a little more detail, but I also think it's a bit of a churn article to drive up the stock price. Most explorers like to keep pretty quiet before any real discoveries.

Could This Be The Top Oil Play For 2021?

As supermajors race to find the next big oil discovery, one small company may have just landed on one of the world’s last giant onshore oil fields

finance.yahoo.com

IIROC Trading Halt - BTEC.H

VANCOUVER, BC, March 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The following issues have been halted by IIROC: Company: Balsam Technologies Corp.H All Issues: YesReason: At the Request of the Company Pending News Halt Time (ET): 7:54 AMIIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a...

finance.yahoo.com

 

[WAB]

Alaska has proven that development can be done with little environmental impact. However, there are a number of factors that would concern me with this development:

1) Responsible development requires detailed deployment, operations and demobilization plans, as well as strict enforcement of those plans. I don't know that the governments involved or a Junior startup out of Calgary with a market cap of $140MM have the wherewithal or intestinal fortitude to do so. $140MM market cap is certainly not the sort of number I'd be looking for to provide guarantees. I believe that I know these guys, and they're not bad guys, just not financially set up to backstop a development like this.
2) Alaska's success required access restrictions. Initially the haul road was not open to non-oil traffic. It is now open but with significant restrictions. For example, you cannot hunt with firearms within 5 miles of the road. A very small local population and good enforcement resources ensure that this is adhered to.
3) Alaskan operations with ground access restricted to winter months allowed deployment of resources with little or no environmental impact. Minor spills were easily dealt with on frozen tundra. The Okavanga is a much different story and much more susceptible to damage. There is no season with restricted leaching potential.
4) Populations close to the Okavanga are quite large and unlikely to follow any access rules not strictly enforced. Strict enforcement of land use and wildlife management are not the hallmarks of the governments involved.

Bottom line, this development is of significant concern. However, I am also reluctant to try to tell another country how to run their business. Alaskans were outraged by the restrictions put on the responsible development of their resources by a bunch of uninformed, left wing, nut bars in DC. The most proud I have ever been of a politician was when we started aerial gunning wolves to get the population under control. PETA et al threatened a boycott of Alaska if it didn't stop. The governor's response: 'that's fine we didn't want you here anyway!'

Bottom line, I understand the frustration of other nations with the overreach of the nutcases in DC.

 

[Philip Glass]

Mike, I believe a better stated position would be being against exploration and the development it brings in a wild area. I get that.

My son is a Petroleum Engineer for EXXON MOBIL. Among other things, he designs frac jobs. Fracking is misunderstood. It increases production and reduces the need for more wells. Fracking combined with directional drilling (multiple wells drilled from one pad) greatly reduces the number of pads and well head locations in a given surface area. This is much better than the older methods that impact more real estate area.

Great point.

 

[Philip Glass]

I understand @spike.t point here and I agree we want Africa to be wild. I think the trouble comes in with signing a petition against something like drilling for oil. It looks like lots of us are involved in the oil and gas business here so that makes it tough. We are losing lots of wilderness in Africa and not just to oil developed. It’s sad.
Philip

 

[WAB]

I agree. I think we would be shocked if we could tally up how much conservation through hunting has been funded by oil sector careers.

 

[tn4lee]

Hey everyone - please share the kavango anti fracking petition with your networks: https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/p...oil-industry-out-of-africas-natural-treasures it has gotten 20k more signatures in the last three days but needs much more -

What they do in their country is NONE OF MY BUSINESS.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

You just quoted the problem...lots of people moving into a wilderness area....in africa this equals poaching and destruction .....I knew this would bring out the oil people...and I knew they would be defending it....but to put it bluntly I would hate to see anything like it there....

100%

I went on my dream Alberta Deer hunt in a great area last year. This Whitetail hunt was the most expensive free range hunt I'd ever seen. It was awful, small fields and timber blocks. People everywhere, nothing like the wild northern experience I envisioned. When we did find a quiet field corner a bunch of does regularly used my guide dropped me off to slip in as it got light. In the falling snow I was certain I was looking at a buck with a main beam that went past his nose. Just then a pickup full of workers drove into the field right up to me and left just as fast when they stood.

I can kill bucks as big as anywhere 30 minutes from Chicago, with less interference. Game or not, when there is no quiet place, hunting is not even worth saving.

 

[Gemsbok45]

You don’t live in Africa.There is no sensible development when it comes to the Chinese,Sorry,Keep the Chinese out at all cost to preserve the wilderness that will support local people,not just enrich the few.We talk about it all the time on this website.Sustainable utilization benefiting the local inhabitants not Govt cronies and the Chinese.

 

[WilhelmM]

A bit late to this but I'm seriously torn on such a development. IF the project is done sustainably and ethically whilst also providing jobs then I don't have any problem with it. However, major and rich powers such as Canada, the USA, Russia & China typically don't care about ethicality if it's overseas unless they're rightfully put under public scrutiny. Honestly, I believe this recent development is probably a cost of the hunting ban back in 2014. Sure, it's been lifted which is fantastic for sportsmen and the local economy, but the ban should never have taken place at all. Botswana lost a significant amount of much-needed money from hunters' dollars.

If my memory serves me correctly, one of the hunting concessions made to help local communities were converted for extracting valuable minerals. Ironic considering Ian Khama said this was all for conservation. In reality, the ban was meant to satisfy a few rich foreigners (richer than hunters) who couldn't quite comprehend the idea of hunting thru conservation in a third-world country. If anything bad happens from the fracking the only people to blame will be them.

 

[375Fox]

A bit late to this but I'm seriously torn on such a development. IF the project is done sustainably and ethically whilst also providing jobs then I don't have any problem with it. However, major and rich powers such as Canada, the USA, Russia & China typically don't care about ethicality if it's overseas unless they're rightfully put under public scrutiny. Honestly, I believe this recent development is probably a cost of the hunting ban back in 2014. Sure, it's been lifted which is fantastic for sportsmen and the local economy, but the ban should never have taken place at all. Botswana lost a significant amount of much-needed money from hunters' dollars.

If my memory serves me correctly, one of the hunting concessions made to help local communities were converted for extracting valuable minerals. Ironic considering Ian Khama said this was all for conservation. In reality, the ban was meant to satisfy a few rich foreigners (richer than hunters) who couldn't quite comprehend the idea of hunting thru conservation in a third-world country. If anything bad happens from the fracking the only people to blame will be them.

It’s about Namibia not Botswana. Also American and Canadian oil companies are not state owned enterprises. American and Canadian companies have a lot to lose because judgments will be enforced against them (and probably issued) in their home countries.

 

[Muskox]

I concur that an increase in people is a problem. If you look at the deforestation in Mozambique any new influx of people in bush Africa is a problem.

I support fracking in America. As nationalist is it sounds, we probably need to save Africa from the Africans.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Why would anyone be anti-fracking? What is the specific issue that people are against?

Fracking paid the bill for not 1 but 2 "kids" to become Doctors. All it generated was $ and natural gas for domestic use. Being in the environmental cleanup business, I personally sampled all neighbors drinking water wells before and after-and no issues (other than existing petroleum spills at select farms!) If done by the book-no issues. Energy from home is best. That map is a bit unclear, but looks like they're in the Caprivi (perhaps in or near one of the parks?) Just don't let 'em spoil the aesthetics (esp. the Okavango swamp below!) I may be seeing their progress on a future lechwe/buff hunt...The footprint of operations is quite small, but it Is water intensive. So long as it doesn't affect the flow of the river (which I know IS somewhat of a problem up in the Angolan headwaters!) Can any of the PHs comment on any changes to the Kavango flow in the Caprivi over the years?

 

[WilhelmM]

It’s about Namibia not Botswana. Also American and Canadian oil companies are not state owned enterprises. American and Canadian companies have a lot to lose because judgments will be enforced against them (and probably issued) in their home countries.

Shit, ignore everything I said about Khama then. Even then, state-owned or private, foreign companies typically are not as concerned about ethicality if it's abroad and this isn't exclusive to America or Canada.

"judgements will be enforced against them (and probably issued) in their home countries"
That's exactly what I meant by them being put under public scrutiny.

 

[WilhelmM]

I concur that an increase in people is a problem. If you look at the deforestation in Mozambique any new influx of people in bush Africa is a problem.

I support fracking in America. As nationalist is it sounds, we probably need to save Africa from the Africans.

I get your point but "saving Africa from the Africans" will never work in the modern-day. Yes, if it weren't for colonialism native Africans would still be living in mud huts. I get that. But there also wouldn't be nearly as many Africans if it weren't for colonialism. A sudden rise in new technology and higher living standards are the direct cause of Africa's population explosion. Similar to what happened in India.

 

[Muskox]

The Chinese will do anything to take everything from Africa, the same as they are doing in Australia, South America and the rest of Asia.

 

[BRICKBURN]

APP-002250 - Proposed 2D Seismic Survey covering the Areas of Interest (AOI) in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) No. 73, Kavango Basin, Kavango West and East Regions, Northern Namibia​

The ECC is required for the proposed 2D Seismic Survey covering the Areas of Interest (AOI) in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) No. 73, Kavango Basin, Kavango West and East Regions, Northern Namibia. Reconnaissance Energy Namibia (Pty) Ltd (the Proponent and Operator) holds petroleum exploration rights under the Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) No. 73 granted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). Reconnaissance Energy Namibia (Pty) Ltd is a subsidiary of Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (ReconAfrica), an international Canadian public listed oil and gas company. The company intends to conduct 450 km long of 2D seismic survey operations as part of the exploration commitments to the Government of the Republic of Namibia. The proposed survey operations covering the key exploration Areas of Interest (AOI) within PEL 73 will be conducted along existing roads and tracks, using an environmentally friendly, limited footprint and efficient light trucks, the Explorer 860 Accelerated Weight Drop (AWD) energy sources and wireless receivers. The AOI interests as shown on the map do not fall in an environmental proclaimed protected or sensitive area nor in groundwater protection zone. The key central exploration interests are situated about 55 km south of Rundu, 80 km south of the Okavango River, more than 260 km from the Okavango Delta in Botswana and not related to the Delta whatsoever, more than 40 km from the boundary of the Khaudum National Park and more than 70 km from the Mangetti National Park. The overall general area falls in the sparsely populated but not pristine communal areas of the Ncamangoro and Mashare Constituencies of the Kavango West and East Regions, respectively. Ncamangoro and Mashare Constituencies falls within the boundaries of the Mbunza and Sambyu Traditional Authorities, respectively. 2D seismic survey is an environmentally friendly nonintrusive geophysical method used for mapping or imaging of the subsurface geology. During the seismic survey, the weigh drop generated seismic wave which travels into the earth gets reflected by various subsurface formations, and returns to the surface where it is recorded by the receivers called geophones. The resultant product following complex processing is a vertical sonic cross-section of the subsurface beneath the survey line showing the geological materials (de-risked geological sub model) and structures that the acoustic wave has travelled through. This information is used to predict potential areas where oil or gas may be trapped in sufficient quantities for further exploration activities such as drilling of an exploration well. The proposed survey will cover the following stages: (i) Planning and mobilisation (Pre-survey preparation). (ii) Camp sites setups and widening of tracks and creation of limited new access as may be applicable. (iii) Actual data acquisition, and. (iv) Demobilisation (survey completion).
Prpject status REVIEW IN PROGRESS

For further information contact:​

Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Department of Environmental Affairs
(+264 -61) 284 2701 (T)
(+264-61) 240 339 (F)
http://www.met.gov.na

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

 

[rookhawk]

I think fracking in Africa is a BRILLIANT IDEA and honestly, the alternatives are far worse. The influence the Chinese have in Africa is beyond anyone’s imagination. They are presently seeking a permit to build a coal mine in Zimbabwe’s national parks. Yep. Imagine strip mining Yellowstone for a visual of what that would look like.

Fracking is one of the cleanest, least invasive means to capture the resources of an area without disrupting thousands of acres of the surface ground.

Africa has an infinite supply of corrupt politicians working with foreign powers to extract the resources of Africa. When there are no more resources, the foreign powers will leave Africa in the same poverty as they found them. If they decide to Frack rather than dig or strip mine, at least the sustainable wild resources have a chance of remaining intact.

Yea on Fracking.
No on strip mining.
No on surface mining for gold.

 

[sgt_zim]

I get your point but "saving Africa from the Africans" will never work in the modern-day. Yes, if it weren't for colonialism native Africans would still be living in mud huts. I get that. But there also wouldn't be nearly as many Africans if it weren't for colonialism. A sudden rise in new technology and higher living standards are the direct cause of Africa's population explosion. Similar to what happened in India.

Pretty much this.

in 1960, the entire continent had a population of about 250M, which is fewer people than currently call themselves Americans. Today, the total population is about 1.2B