Ruqayyah Snyder
Oil shale is a sedimentary rock that holds large quantities of kerogen, a precursor to oil. Oil shale deposits are found in several states in Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Queensland has the largest deposits in the country, with the Toolebuc Formation in the Eromanga and Carpenteria Basins estimated to contain 1.7 trillion barrels of in-situ shale oil. Oil shale has been mined and used for gas enrichment, petrol/gasoline production, and lubricant production in Australia since the mid-19th century, with the first shale oil extracted in 1865. While commercial production in New South Wales ceased in 1952, several companies in Australia are currently developing plans and activities for oil shale development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania |
| Amount of demonstrated resource | 58 billion tonnes |
| Amount of recoverable resource | 25 billion barrels (4.0×10 · ^9 m3) |
| Commercial development sites | Rundle, Stuart and Condor sites near Gladstone, Mackay and Proserpine in Queensland |
| Potential commercial development sites | Duaringa, Byfield, Mount Coolon, Nagoorin, Yaamba, Alpha and Carnarvon Creek |
| Shale oil operations | Julia Creek, Alpha, Mersey River in Tasmania, Newnes, Murrurundi, Glen Davis, Hartley Vale, Torbane Siding, Wollar, Mittagong, Marangaroo, Joadja Creek |
| Shale oil resource | 131 600PJ (22 390mmbbl) |
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What You'll Learn
Oil shale deposits in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania
Oil shale deposits are found in several regions of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. The deposits vary in age and origin, with some being more easily recoverable than others.
In Queensland, the deposits are primarily lacustrine, including torbanite and lamosite, and range in size from 1 to 17.4 billion tonnes. The sites with the greatest potential for commercial development are Rundle, Stuart, and Condor, located near Gladstone, Mackay, and Proserpine. Other sites that may be of economic interest include Duaringa, Byfield, Mount Coolon, Nagoorin, and Yaamba. The state had the easiest-to-recover deposits in the country as of 2012.
New South Wales has a history of oil shale exploitation dating back to 1865, with 16 torbanite deposits being commercially exploited until 1952. The extracted oil shale was used for various purposes, including gas enrichment, petrol production, and lubricant production. Notable extraction sites included America Creek, Kerosene Bay, and Botany Road.
South Australia is home to oil shale deposits in the Eyre Peninsula and the Eromanga and Carpenteria basins. The basins are of Early Cretaceous age and are located in the state's northern regions.
Tasmania's oil shale deposits are primarily of Permian age and are found mainly in the northwestern districts, especially in the Latrobe-Railton area. The state has a history of shale oil extraction from 1910 to 1935, producing a total of 85,000 barrels.
Victoria is also mentioned as one of the states with oil shale deposits in Australia. However, specific locations or details about the deposits in this state are not readily available in the sources provided.
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Oil shale extraction in Australia
Oil shale deposits are found across Australia, with varying sizes and origins. The deposits are located in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. The majority of commercially viable shale oil resources are found in Queensland, specifically near Gladstone and Mackay. These deposits are thick Cenozoic lacustrine oil shale deposits (lamosite) and are of significant commercial interest.
The history of oil shale extraction in Australia dates back to the 1860s, with the first recorded extraction taking place in New South Wales in 1865. The industry has had its ups and downs, with government funding ceasing in 1952, leading to the closure of the last oil shale operation at Glen Davis. However, production restarted in the late 1990s with the Stuart Oil Shale Project.
Over the years, various companies and subsidiaries have been involved in oil shale development in Australia. These include Queensland Energy Resources, Xtract Oil, Australian Thermal Solution, OilCorp, and Greenvale Mining, each with their own extraction processes and plans.
The extraction of shale oil in Australia is a complex process due to the nature of shale oil deposits. Shale oil is a high-quality crude oil found deep underground, often in combination with shale gas and impermeable mudstone or siltstone. The extraction process typically involves unconventional methods such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling techniques.
As of late 2019, shale oil extraction in Australia remains in the exploration stage, with several companies actively exploring potential sites. The presence of shale liquids (oil) and condensate, a type of ultralight crude oil, drives the economics of shale production. These valuable by-products enhance the commercial viability of extraction projects.
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Oil shale deposits of commercial interest
Oil shale deposits in Australia range from small deposits to large reserves. The majority of shale oil resources of commercial interest are located in Queensland, near Gladstone and Mackay. These deposits are thick Cenozoic lacustrine oil shale deposits (lamosite) and are predominantly found in a series of narrow and deep extensional basins. Queensland also has the McFarlane oil shale deposit, which is under a moratorium due to its potential environmental impact on the Whitsunday region, key infrastructure, and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Goorganga Wetlands.
In New South Wales, 16 out of 30 deposits have been commercially exploited, yielding approximately four million tonnes of oil shale. These deposits were mainly used for gas enrichment, petrol/gasoline production, paraffin, kerosene, wood preservation, and lubricant production. However, commercial production in New South Wales ceased in 1925.
Tasmania also has oil shale deposits, specifically Tasmanite deposits, which were mined for shale oil in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. However, the industry in Tasmania was not economically viable, and operations ceased in the 1930s.
Several companies in Australia are actively involved in oil shale development. Queensland Energy Resources is working on the Stuart deposit, while Xtract Oil, a subsidiary of Global Oil Shale Group Limited, is developing the Julia Creek deposit. OilCorp is also progressing with its oil shale resource located north of Julia Creek within the Toolebuc Formation.
Overall, Australia has a large unconventional and currently non-producing identified shale oil resource, which could contribute to future oil supply if economic and environmental challenges can be overcome.
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Shale oil operations in Australia
Shale oil is a high-quality crude oil found deep underground in combination with shale gas, between layers of shale rock, impermeable mudstone, or siltstone. Oil shale, on the other hand, is a shallow, organic-rich sedimentary rock that holds large quantities of kerogen, a precursor to oil.
Oil shale deposits, varying by age and origin, are located in about a third of eastern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Queensland has the largest deposits of oil shale in Australia, and the deposits here are also the easiest to recover.
The history of shale oil operations in Australia goes back to 1865 when exploitation started in New South Wales. The first shale oil was extracted by the Pioneer Kerosene Works at America Creek in Wollongong district. By 1892, about 100,000 tonnes of oil shale were being processed in Australia annually. The industry was dominated by two companies, Australian Kerosene Oil & Mineral and N.S.W. Shale & Oil, from 1873 to 1906. In 1917, subsidies for the oil shale industry were introduced, but commercial production in New South Wales ceased in 1925. In the 1930s, a Gotting retort was erected in Mittagong, New South Wales, and the National Oil Proprietary was created in 1937. The Glen Davis Shale Oil Works became operational at Glen Davis, New South Wales in 1940 as the country's main facility. The last oil shale operation at Glen Davis was closed in 1952 when government funding ceased.
The oil shale industry restarted in the late 1990s with the Stuart Oil Shale Project. In 2012, one pilot shale oil plant and several development projects operated in Queensland and Tasmania. As of 2012, the total amount of the demonstrated resource was estimated at 58 billion tonnes, with about 25 billion barrels recoverable. This made Australia the world's 8th largest resource of oil shale.
Several companies in Australia are currently involved in oil shale development plans and activities. Queensland Energy Resources is developing the Stuart deposit and produced the first oil at its new pilot plant in September 2011. Xtract Oil, a subsidiary of Global Oil Shale Group Limited, is one of the developers of the Julia Creek deposit and plans to produce shale oil using the Galoter process. Australian Thermal Solution, a subsidiary of Blue Ensign Technologies, is planning to build a demonstration plant at Julia Creek to test its Rendall Process. OilCorp is also progressing with the development of its oil shale resource located north of Julia Creek within the Toolebuc Formation. In addition, Greenvale Mining, a developer of the Alpha deposit, is reviewing the viability of the South Africa-developed Vertical Retort Torbanite processing technology.
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The future of oil shale in Australia
Oil shale deposits are found across Australia, from Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia to Victoria and Tasmania. The future of oil shale in Australia is complex and multifaceted. On one hand, Australia has a large amount of oil shale resources, estimated at 58 billion tonnes as of 2012, with about 25 billion barrels recoverable. This makes Australia the world's 8th largest resource holder. The deposits with the greatest potential for commercial development are the Rundle, Stuart, and Condor sites in Queensland.
Several companies in Australia are actively pursuing oil shale development. For example, Queensland Energy Resources is working on the Stuart deposit and produced its first oil in 2011. Other companies such as Xtract Oil, Australian Thermal Solution, OilCorp, and Greenvale Mining are also involved in various development projects.
However, the economics of unconventional oil and gas extraction in Australia is challenging due to higher drilling, fracking, and transport costs compared to other countries like the US. The viability of oil shale projects in Australia often depends on the presence of valuable by-products like liquid petroleum gas and condensate, which can improve their commercial potential. Additionally, environmental concerns and community opposition to fracking and coal seam gas development pose further challenges to the industry.
Despite these obstacles, Australia's shale oil resources could potentially contribute to future oil supply if economic and environmental hurdles can be overcome. As of late 2019, shale oil extraction in Australia was still in the exploration stage, with companies focusing on areas with potential for liquid petroleum gas and condensate reserves. The success of the industry will depend on a range of factors, including technological advancements, community acceptance, and the ability to address economic and environmental challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Oil shale deposits are found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
The total amount of demonstrated resources is estimated at 58 billion tonnes, with about 25 billion barrels recoverable.
Oil shale has been used for gas enrichment, petrol/gasoline production, paraffin, kerosene, wood preserving, and lubricant production.
Shale oil is a high-quality crude oil found deep underground in combination with shale gas. Oil shale is a shallow, organic-rich sedimentary rock that holds large quantities of kerogen, a precursor to oil.
Several companies, including Queensland Energy Resources, Xtract Oil, Australian Thermal Solution, OilCorp, and Greenvale Mining, have oil shale development plans and activities in Australia.
