ERR News – Enefit has taken steps to produce the first batch of American-sourced shale oil and measurement results are expected soon. The Estonian company – the international arm of the state power company Eesti Energia – has to prove the shale quality is acceptable in order to launch oil production in the US.
American oil shale is different from the Estonian natural resource and its suitability for oil production has to be tested. The process is taking place in Germany, where 600 tonnes of Utah oil shale were transported for testing.
Both countries' eyes are on an oil plant currently being developed in Estonia. It uses Eesti Energia's proprietary Enefit280 technology, which is said to be highly profitable as it makes 100 percent use of the mined shale. "All organic matter is fully utilized, and high performance in oil extraction is further aided by additional revenue streams," according to a description on the company's website.
When the new technology is proven to work, a grand future is foreseen for oil shale mining in the US. The American side has requested tangible proof on the Enefit280 technology by 2016. If all goes well, there are just legal issues to work out before starting production.
Enefit plans to start the first phase of production in 2020. The Utah oil shale plant would employ around 2,000 people.
