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South Africa: Karoo Basin

South Africa: Karoo Basin News

South Africa: Karoo Basin Rig Data: July 30, 2026

South Africa: Karoo Basin Overview

The Karoo Basin reaches 600,000 sq km in central and southern South Africa and contains thick, organic rich shales such as the Permian Whitehill Formation. Until recently, the Karoo Basin was not considered prospective for productive hydrocarbons resulting in very limited modern hydrocarbon exploration onshore in South Africa.

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(Source : EIA International Shale Gas )

Moratorium 

In February 2011, a moratorium on the processing of all new applications relating to the exploration and production of shale gas in the Karoo Basin was put in…