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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 68 (1984)

Issue: 4. (April)

First Page: 538

Last Page: 539

Title: A View on Oil Shale Development: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Ben Weichman

Abstract:

An examination of energy statistics shows clearly that the United States is on the edge of an impending energy crisis. This appears preposterous in the face of a world oil glut and probable world oil price decreases over the next year or so. However, oil supply, oil demand and United States economy statistics support the scenario of a rapidly occurring energy crisis in the United States should oil imports be shut off even partially. This is not an unlikely happening under present world tensions.

Oil and gas exploration and production statistics support the view that domestic oil reserves will continue to decline even if concentrated oil exploration activity were maintained.

The shortest avenue for United States energy independence is through the development of synthetic fuels. However, a detailed study shows that, under present technology, synthetic fuels cannot be produced economically

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regardless of the price of crude oil. One exception to this economic situation is shale oil coproduced with other minerals from the vast "Saline Zone" oil shale resource of northwest Colorado.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists