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Oil Shale (Bituminous Marl)
Oil Shale refers to sedimentary rocks mostly carbonates to chalk marl and shale contain immature organic matters, when it is heated to above 500°C, it produces oil and gas.
The Jordanian oil shale are naturally bituminous marls of varying shade of brown, grey or black. The investigations of the potential of bituminous rocks as a possible source for producing oil by retorting or for generating electricity by direct combustion is of first priority for Jordan.
Geological Setting
Oilshale deposited mostly within the lower part of the Muwaqqar Chalk Marl Formation (Campanian-Maestrichtian). The Formation consists of limestone, marl, shales and phosphates.
Location
There are 18 known surface and near surface deposits, eight of which namely El-Lajjun, Sultani, Jurf Ed-Darawish, Attarat Um El-Ghudran, Wadi Maghar, Siwaga, Khan El-Zabib and El-Thamad were investigated in different levels. The major deposits of commercial scale interest are located south of Amman in central Jordan and are easily accessible from the desert highway between Amman and Aqaba. These are: -
- El–Lajjun is located at about 100 kms south of Amman, between Qatrana and Karak city.
- Sultani is located at about 115kms south of Amman just adjacent to the desert highway.
- Jurf Ed- Darawish is located 145kms south of Amman and near Jurf Ed¬Darawish town
- Attarat Umm Ghudran is located approximately 35 kms east of Qatrana
- Wadi El Maghar is located approximately 40 kms south east of Qatrana.
- El-Thamad is located 45km south of the capital Amman.
Please refer to the Locations Map.
Reserves
The reserves for different locations of oilshale:
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Area(km2)
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20.4
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24
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150
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226
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--
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Av. thickness oil shale (m)
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29.6
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31.6
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63.8
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45
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40
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Av. thickness of OB (m)
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25.8
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69.3
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47.3
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53.2
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40.5
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Geological reserves (Mt)
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1196
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1130
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8000
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11300
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31600
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Indicated reserve (Mt)
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1170
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989
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2500
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10400
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21600
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Chemical and physical properties
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Av. oil content (wt%)
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10.5
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7.5
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5.7
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11
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6.8
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Total organic matter (wt%)
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22.1
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21.5
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18
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--
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--
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Calorific value (kcal/kg)
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1590
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1210
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864
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--
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--
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CaCO3 (wt%)
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54.3
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46.96
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69.11
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--
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--
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SO3 (wt%)
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4.8
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4.4
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4.3
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--
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--
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Bulk density (g/cm3)
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1.81
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1.96
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2.1
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--
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--
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Moisture (wt%)
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2.43
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2.6
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2.8
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--
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--
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Background
Natural Resources Authority (NRA) has carried out extensive geological studies to determine the oil shale reserves at El-lajjun, and Sultani deposits. In 1979, BGR evaluated oil shale deposits in central Jordan (El-Lajjun, Jurf Ed-Darawish, El-Hisa and Sultani deposits).
In 1980, a prefeasibility study by Technoprom export to determine the feasibility of direct burning the oil shale in a 300-400MW conventional combustion unit. In 1986, the consortium concluded an undated prefeasibility study for a 50000 bb1/day retorting complex including CFB and upgrading units.
In 1985, an agreement was signed with China–Petro Chemical International Company to carry a proving test in order to determine whether a Fushun–type retort is technically feasible for processing El-Lajjun oil shale. The test proved the technical viability of extracting shale oil from El-Lajjun oil shale.
In 1987, Jordan Electricity and Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources commissioned direct combustion studies using Sultani oil shale deposit with BBC, TYPEering Combustion Lummus Canada and Puro-Power (USA). The performance tests conducted on Sultani oil shale have demonstrated that Sultani oil shale is suitable as fuel.
Investment Opportunities
Oil shale is not exploited so far in Jordan. Investment in oil shale is open on the basis of production share agreement and/or any agreement which could be agreed with NRA. Qualified companies in the field of oil shale industry are invited to study, test and analyze samples and all the technical data and support regarding oil shale could be provided.
Report
- "Oil Shale Development Resources in Jordan" (Updated December 2006) - Download PDF
- Geological Survey Administration, Mineral Status and Future Oppurtunity - Download PDF
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