Common questions

What is oil shale?

Oil shale is an organic-rich rock that, when heated to 550 celsius, yields oil.  The rock was formed around 50 million years ago when algae-rich sediments collected in swamps and lakes then solidified.  Over time the organic matter in the sediments has been transformed into kerogen, a waxy material.  When oil shale is heated the kerogen vaporises and can be cooled or distilled to produce a range of liquid oil products.

Why do we need it?

The world's conventional easy-to-access liquid oil reserves are declining and are not being replaced fast enough by alternative energy sources.  Despite this, demand for oil continues to increase and will soon exceed conventional oil production on a regular basis.

How much oil shale is in the Kingdom of Jordan?

Jordan has the 4th largest oil shale resources in the world with an estimated 100 billion barrels of oil contained in its oil shale deposits.

What price must crude oil reach for oil shale mining to be profitable?

The mining projects will breakeven when oil prices hit around $40 to $50 per barrel and produce reasonable returns when prices exceed $60 to $70 per barrel.

How does oil shale mining differ from tar sands operations?

The principles behind the projects are similar but Jordan Energy and Mining's oil shale operations will not face many of the obstacles presented by tar sands operations: permafrost, extremely cold temperatures for six months of the year and the need to import energy (gas) to extract oil from the tar sands.

How much shale oil is in Jordan Energy and Mining's deposits?

Surveys conducted by independent contractors show that there are over 600 million barrels of oil shale in the Al Lajjun area.  When Jordan Energy and Mining's plant is running at initial production capacity it will generate around 15,000 barrels per day and contribute 30-40 megawatts of electrical power to the Jordanian grid.