Developments in Oil Shale
Abstract
The Green River oil shale formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming is estimated to hold the equivalent of 1.38 trillion barrels of oil equivalent in place. The shale is generally acknowledged as a rich potential resource; however, it has not generally proved to be economically recoverable. Thus, it is considered to be a contingent resource and not a true reserve. Also, the finished products that can be produced from oil shale are limited in range to primarily diesel and jet fuel. Earlier attempts to develop oil shale under the 1970s era Department of Energy (DOE) Synthetic Fuels program and the later Synthetic Fuels Corporation loan guarantees ended after the rapid decline of oil prices and development of new oil fields outside the Middle East. Improvements taking place at the time in conventional refining enabled increased production of transportation fuels over heavy heating oils (which were being phased out in favor of natural gas). Rising oil prices and concerns over declining petroleum production worldwide revived United States interest in oil shale after a two-decade hiatus. In addition to technological challenges left unsolved from previous development efforts, environmental issues remained and new issues have emerged. Estimates of the ultimately recoverable resource also vary. Challenges to development also include competition with conventional petroleum production in the mid-continent region, and increasing petroleum imports from Canada. The region's isolation from major refining centers in the Gulf Coast may leave production stranded if pipeline capacity is not increased.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 17, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA497639
Entities
People
- Anthony Andrews
Organizations
- Library of Congress