oil shale

Oil shale is a type of sedimentary rock containing kerogen, a precursor to oil. When heated to high temperatures, kerogen releases liquid hydrocarbons that can be refined into crude oil. Unlike conventional oil reservoirs, oil shale deposits are solid and require mining or heating methods to extract the oil. It’s considered an alternative source of fossil fuels, but extraction can be complex, costly, and environmentally impactful. Oil shale is found in various regions worldwide and has potential for energy production, but its use involves balancing resource benefits with environmental considerations.