How much water is required to process oil shale?
No water is used in the retort itself to process oil shale into shale oil. Actually, the retorting process produces water from the connate water in the rock and also from the sour water in the product stream. The largest need for water is to cool the spent shale for handling and then for dust control as it is placed in the disposal facility. Water is also used in the mining and crushing operation to control dust. Potable water will also be required for the workers on the site. It is estimated that water consumption related to the project will be in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 barrels of water for each barrel of shale oil produced. OSEC will be working with local, state and federal governments, along with other industrial users, to forecast needs in the Uinta Basin and to develop long-term programs to assure adequate water supplies.
