Prototype oil shale leasing program, Colorado

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · EIS; (United States)

OSTI ID:5569182

Sale of one or two prototype oil shale leases located within the 1,500-square-mile Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado is proposed. The tracts are known as C-11 and C-18. Plant and mine support facilities could be developed at the sites and surface waste disposal areas could be developed. Mining would probably take place for as long as 100 years. Mining methods could include direct mining and surface retorting, mine-assisted in-situ mining, and true in-situ mining. As much as 19.4 billion barrels of shale oil, 7.9 billion tons of nahcolite, and 1.92 billion tons of dawsonite could be recovered. Daily production from either tract could continue at a rate of 25,000 to 50,000 barrels of oil for up to 100 years. Development of C-11 would result in violations of standards. Mining could affect water quality, water reserves, oil and gas leases, a sodium lease, and a research facility. Acres of alluvial valley would be disturbed; vegetation and wildlife habitat would be destroyed; soil would be disturbed; geologic regime would be altered; possible damage to archaelogical and paleontological resources would occur; hydrologic alteration would occur; and there would be stress placed on social and transportation systems and on recreation.

• OSTI ID: 5569182
• Journal Information: EIS; (United States), Journal Name: EIS; (United States) Vol. 6:9; ISSN EEISD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040800 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
041000* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
COLORADO
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
INDUSTRY
LAND RECLAMATION
LEASES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALE INDUSTRY
OIL SHALE MINING
PICEANCE CREEK BASIN
USA