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U.S. Department of Energy
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Colony Project: its impacts and progress

Conference · · Min. Year Book; (United States)
OSTI ID:6469891

If pioneer projects are successful in demonstrating the commercial viability of oil shale, Western Colorado may be on the verge of the biggest, most-sustained period of growth ever experienced in its history. This paper discusses the long-term need for a synthetics industry and the Colony Shale Oil Project in particular. It focuses specifically on the technology and resource base and the human needs of this developing industry. A sizable work force and support population will be required for a large-scale industry, but with adequate advance planning, the trained workers can be supplied and their human needs can be met. One concrete example of this planning is the current level of activity associated with establishing the completely new community of Battlement Mesa. Early on, Colony realized that thousands of workers would be needed to build and operate a shale project and chose to establish a community that is not simply houses, but one that will create a life sytle that will attract and retain a stable work force. The amenities provided should attract non-shale related residents and businesses as well and avoid Battlement Mesa becoming a company town. Overall, the demonstrated progress on the Colony Shale Oil Project and Battlement Mesa is evidence that the large-scale growth of the industry can be managed with socially acceptable impacts.

Research Organization:
Exxon Co., USA, Houston, TX
OSTI ID:
6469891
Journal Information:
Min. Year Book; (United States), Journal Name: Min. Year Book; (United States); ISSN MYBOD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English