Frequently Asked Questions
About Oil Shale

How much oil can be derived from oil shale?
The rich oil shales of the Green River Formation will typically yield from 15-60 gallons of shale oil per ton of rock (gpt). The normal assay method is referred to as the Modified Fischer Assay. In the White River Mine, the shale will average about 30 gallons per ton from a 58-foot mining zone.

How is the oil shale mined?
Shale is hard, abrasive and resilient. Explosives are typically employed to break the rock. The underground mine will extract a rich oil shale horizon, typically 40 to 60 feet in thickness. If this rich oil shale zone outcrops at the surface, horizontal mine adits or openings will allow entry to mine the shale. If the shale does not outcrop, then vertical shafts or declines will be used to reach the shale horizon below the
surface.

At the White River Mine the shale horizon is about 1,000 feet below the surface. A 30-foot diameter vertical shaft is the main mine entry, and a separate 4,574-foot long, three-segment, doglegged decline was installed to convey the shale to the surface. The top leg of the decline is 28.5 feet wide by 12.75 feet high and slopes at 23.75% over a length of 2,074 feet. The lower leg is 18.5 feet wide by 12.75 feet high and 2,500 feet long with a slope of 26.8%. Two other mine openings that intersect the decline are a 16-foot diameter ventilation raise and a 5-foot diameter utility raise. All together, the footprint of the mine surface facilities covers a relatively small area.

OSEC plans to reopen the mine, which was developed in the early 1980s. OSEC will employ underground room and pillar mining methods to extract a rich oil shale zone from the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation. The mining zone will be about 58 feet thick and will average about 30 gallons per ton. Two-bench mining methods will be employed.

What energy is required to process oil shale?
Aside from the energy required for the mine and spent shale activities, the biggest energy consumers are the retort and processing plant. A common concern is whether it takes more energy to produce shale oil than the energy contained in the product. However, there is more energy in the final fully refined (ie- Diesel Fuel, Jet Fuel, Etc) shale oil product than the ammount of energy required to produce it.

For the commercial plant, OSEC will likely bring in a commercial electric line and a natural gas line to supply the needs of the mine and process facilities.

How much water is required to process oil shale?
No water is used in the retort itself to process oil shale into shale oil. Actually, the retorting process produces water from the connate water in the rock and also from the sour water in the product stream.

The largest need for water is to cool the spent shale for handling and then for dust control as it is placed in the disposal facility. Water is also used in the mining and crushing operation to control dust. Potable water will also be required for the workers on the site.

It is estimated that water consumption related to the project will be in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 barrels of water for each barrel of shale oil produced. OSEC will be working with local, state and federal governments, along with other industrial users, to forecast needs in the Uinta Basin and to develop long-term programs to assure adequate water supplies.

Is oil shale development economically feasible now? Why has it not been developed in the past?
This question is one of the main factors driving current oil shale RD&D efforts. The OSEC research program will provide crucial data to assess the economic viability of oil shale under current conditions.

As a country,we need to look at all forms of unconventional fuels. Oil shale is a domestic resource that has great potential to meet a growing demand for oil. The world production of oil is declining, while world population is growing and developing nations are demanding modern transportation and fuels to supply their new lifestyles. The United States consumes about 7 billion barrels of oil per year, and increasingly more and more of this is being imported (approximately 56%). This growing dependency on imported oil prompted the government to look for alternatives; the 2005 Energy Act was an initial step designed to foster the development of domestic unconventional fuels.

World supply and demand has resulted in price increases for conventional fuels. As oil prices went past $50/barrel, interest in oil shale was again renewed. With the current oil prices and the proper incentives from government, the oil shale research programs may demonstrate that shale oil can finally be produced economically, while complying with current environmental regulations.

How will other groups interested in oil shale benefit from OSEC leasing and operating the White River Mine?
OSEC is aware that other research groups need fresh, mined oil shale for their laboratory and pilot plant tests. OSEC is willing to reserve up to one-half of the stockpiled oil shale at the mine for use by others doing research at other sites. OSEC feels it is important to the nation’s energy security that as many technologies as possible be assessed. OSEC is willing to make the stockpiled shale available at its cost for loading and handling. Later, mined oil shale will be available at its cost plus a reasonable return.

How many people will OSEC employ?
The number will vary with the three phases of research, development and production. Upon reaching full commercial production in Phase 3, OSEC expects a permanent workforce of hundreds of employees.