Importance of U.S. Oil Shale

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessUnconventional Resources Technology Conference, Denver, Colorado, 12-14 August 2013Importance of U.S. Oil ShaleAuthors: Glenn VawterGlenn VawterExecutive Director, National Oil Shale AssociationSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/urtec2013-234 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract URTeC 1540530 The oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming is a major energy resource for the United States. It can contribute greatly to the future energy independence of North America. Great progress has been made in oil shale research and development during the past few years in the United States. Commercial projects have operated for decades outside U.S. borders. Oil shale is on the brink of a technology renaissance similar to that being experienced in shale gas and tight oil development. But, significant challenges face a developer hoping to build a commercial oil shale project in the United States. Lack of consistent U.S. Federal policy for leasing and regulation, similar to what already exists for other minerals and oil & gas, is restraining long term investment in development. States with oil shale resources also have differing policies toward oil shale development. Millions of tons of oil shale have been mined and millions of barrels of shale oil produced around the world, including from plants here is the U.S. The experience gained from these projects gives developers an important tool to advance technology toward commercialization. Facts about oil shale are often obscured by myths that have been perpetuated for decades by those that either wish to discredit the potential of this energy resource, or are simply misinformed. This paper will discuss the status of U.S. oil shale projects, and the political and regulatory hurdles facing the industry. Keywords: North America, shale gas, gas, miningPermalink: https://doi.org/10.1190/urtec2013-234FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByVisualization and Quantification of Thermally Induced Porosity Alteration of Immature Source Rock Using X-ray Computed Tomography21 September 2016 | Energy & Fuels, Vol. 30, No. 10Dynamic characterization of shale systems by dispersion and attenuation of P- and S-waves considering their mineral composition and rock maturityJournal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 122 Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Denver, Colorado, 12-14 August 2013ISSN (online):2159-6832Copyright: 2013 Pages: 1229 publication data© 2013 Published in electronic format with permission by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and Society of Petroleum EngineersPublisher:Unconventional Resources Technology ConferenceSociety of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished: 26 Sep 2013 CITATION INFORMATION Glenn Vawter, (2013), "Importance of U.S. Oil Shale," SEG Global Meeting Abstracts : 2261-2264. https://doi.org/10.1190/urtec2013-234 Plain-Language Summary KeywordsNorth Americashale gasgasminingPDF DownloadLoading ...