In-situ Oil Shale Development in Jordan through ICP Technology

Abstract

Abstract Globally, with a rapidly growing world population, increasing prosperity and improved access to reliable electricity the IEA expects the demand for energy on the planet to increase significantly in the next decadesi. Meeting this demand globally and in Jordan will be a formidable challenge and requires exploring for conventional hydrocarbons as well as tight / shale oil and gas resources. Jordan has one of the largest oil shale resources in the world and although previous attempts to harness this energy source have been made in Jordan, none have resulted in large scale production of energy from oil shale. In May 2009, Royal Dutch Shell plc ("Shell") signed an Oil Shale Concession Agreement to explore and evaluate the commercial potential of the deeper layers of Jordanian oil shale. Since then, the Jordan Oil Shale Company (JOSCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell, has gathered seismic data over an area of 22, 270 km2 across the country and drilled/tested over 300 wells. JOSCO also established one of the most advanced geochemical and geological laboratories in the Middle East to analyze thousands of rock samples, and currently employs more than 200 people of which more than 95% are Jordanian. Being part of Shell provides JOSCO with access to a network of experts world-wide, providing invaluable technical know-how, operational expertise, cutting-edge research capabilities and global commercial insight. Shell's approach to oil shale development utilizes a technology called In-situ Conversion Process (ICP). This is different from conventional surface retorting methods and direct firing of oil shale for power generation, and is aimed at heating the oil shale by thermal conduction using a closely spaced array of horizontal heaters. JOSCO's current activities are focused on demonstrating the technical feasibility of ICP technology in Jordan. The first ICP field test (Jordan Field Experiment, JFE) has been designed and will aim to validate JOSCO's subsurface understanding of the ICP process. After the JFE, further piloting is required in Jordan before a commercial project is envisioned. When successful, oil shale can play an important role in supporting the Jordan's energy mix, and may also help encourage further benefits to Jordan's energy industry, economy and society in the future.