What is oil shale?

Oil shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock that contains a waxy organic substance called kerogen.

High grade oil shale that contains more than 10% kerogen can be burned without processing and has been used as a fuel for thousands of years!

Why do we need it?

Aurora oil shale mine, Canada

We urgently need to find alternative energy sources as the petroleum industry estimates that the world’s conventional oil reserves will be exhausted in 40 years at current rates of production.

Demand is predicted to soar by 44% over the next two decades, with developing countries accounting for 75% of the increase.

As easily accessible oil fields become depleted, oil exploration companies are increasingly turning to offshore and arctic drilling. But pushing the boundaries always entails both higher costs and increased risk of accidents and environmental impact.

How does oil shale compare to other unconventional fuels?