Oil Shale
Some of the richest known deposits of oil shale lie in basins within the Green River Formation along the border of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
In an area that provides critical habitat and migration corridors for elk and mule deer and natural habitat for cutthroat trout, oil shale is being explored as a potential energy and fuel source, despite past failures to extract oil shale at a commercially-viable level. Oil shale development requires an incredible amount of energy because large amounts of rock must be heated to extremely high temperatures to release the oil.
Despite estimates that commercial oil shale development would consume huge quantities of water, cause significant air pollution and destroy thousands of acres of wildlife habitat, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have issued leases for sites in Colorado to be used for oil shale research and development.
Technologies already in place for heating fluids deep under the ground to dissolve other substances, such as nahcolite, or baking soda, would be one method adapted to bring oil shale to the surface through special production well bores.
Farmers, ranchers and environmental groups are concerned about the impacts that oil shale development could have on western communities, wildlife, agriculture, water resources and the climate and are urging the BLM to take a slow cautious approach to oil shale technologies that have not yet been proven to be technically feasible, commercially viable or environmentally sustainable.
Map of proposed oil shale & tar sands development in CO, WY and UT
Shaded areas indicate footprint of lands available for leasing under BLM's 2012 "preferred alternative". Areas outlined in red areas indicate RD&D leases.
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State: Utah Region: Utah/Colorado Description: The western United States holds some of the world’s richest deposits of oil shale. The states of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah together represent more than a third of the earth’s supply. Red Leaf Resources, Inc. is currently field testing technology to bring this fuel to the market. |
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State: Colorado Description: For decades, energy companies have attempted to unlock the large, domestic oil shale resources of northwestern Colorado’s Piceance Basin. For more than a quarter of a century, Shell has conducted laboratory and field research on its, In situ (in-ground) Conversion Process to recover oil and gas. |
