By Chisom Ibemere
Oil shale is also called Kerogen shale and it is a sedimentary rock housing organic matter called kerogen, with a rich historical background dating back to ancient civilizations.
The roots of oil shale lie in the accumulation of organic materials like algae and plants in ancient lakes and seas, undergoing transformation into kerogen over geological periods through heat and pressure.
Oil shale can be found in diverse regions worldwide, such as the United States, China, Estonia, Australia, Brazil, and Russia.
It mostly occurs in sedimentary basins with substantial deposits of organic-rich material such as the Green River Formation in the U.S., Fushun and Maoming deposits in China, and Tertiary deposits in Estonia.
Oil shale is primarily utilized for energy, oil shale can be processed through heating or pyrolysis to extract shale oil—a liquid hydrocarbon used as fuel. Shale oil can be further refined into products like gasoline, diesel, and heating oil.
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Oil shale doubles as a source for chemical products, yielding shale gas when processed. This gas serves as a feedstock for producing chemicals like fertilizers, waxes, solvents, and plastics.
Enriched with organic matter, particularly kerogen, oil shale undergoes thermal processing to convert it into hydrocarbons. It has a high carbon content and combustible, capable of direct burning as solid fuel or processing for shale oil extraction.
Oil shale holds significant global importance owing to its energy potential and widespread availability:
Deposits of oil shale contribute to countries’ energy security by providing indigenous resources, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing energy security.
The extraction and processing of oil shale stimulate employment and contribute to local and national economies, supporting industries like mining, refining, manufacturing, and chemical production.
Oil shale diversifies the available energy sources, acting as an alternative to conventional oil and gas supplies and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
