Ikelic - Alliance Digital Repository

STATUS OF OIL SHALE PROJECTS (Underline denotes changes since June 1994)
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS (Continued)
The two SHC-3000 units built in 1980 at the Estonian Powerplant, Narva, Estonia, with a capacity of 3,000 tons of shale per day are
among the largest in the world and unique in their technological principles. However, these units have been slow in reaching full
design productivity.
A redesign and reconstruction of particular pans of the units was done in 1984 to improve the process of production and to in
crease the period of continuous operation.
As a result of these changes, the functioning of the SHC-3000 improved dramatically in 1984 in comparison with the period of
1980-1983. For instance, the tout amount of shale processed in the period 1980-1983 was almost the same as for only 1984, i.e.
79,100 tons versus 80,100 in 1984. The tout shale oil production for the period 1980-1983 was 10500 tons and approximately the
same amount was produced only in 1984. The average output of shale oil per run increased from 27 tons in 1980 to 970 tons in
1984. The output of electric energy for Estonia-Energo continued constant in 1983 and 1984, by burning part of the shale oil in the
boilers of Estonia GRES.
By the end of 1984, 159,200 tons of shale was processed and 20,000 tons of shale oil was produced at SHC-3000.
In 1985, the third test of the reconstructed boiler TP-101 was carried out by using the shale oil produced at the SHC-3000. The im
provement of the working characteristics of SHC-3000 has continued.
LO VGNIPII (the name of the Research Institute) has designed for Estonia an electric power station that would use shale oil and
produce 2,600 megawatts. A comparison of its technical-economical characteristics with the corresponding ones of the 2500
megawatts power station with direct burning of raw shales was made. It was found that the station on shale oil would be more
economical than the station with direct burning of shale.
In 1990, 374,000 tons of shale was used for processing and 43,600 tons of shale oil was produced. In 1994. 600.000 tons of shale
were used to produce 79.000 tons of oil (in 1993. 502500 tons of shale and 65.900 tons of oil). At present, shale with an organic
content of 28 percent is used for processing, the oil yield being about 12 percent per shale. The oil obtained contains 14 to
15 percent of gasoline fraction. Export of the oil produced is growing steadily-from 8,900 tons in 1990 to 24,300 tons in 1991.
Bv the end of 1994. 3.245.000 tons of shale had been processed and 403500 tons oil oil had been produced by the SHC-3000
process.
- STUART OIL SHALE PROJECT Southern
Pacific Petroleum NL and Central Pacific Minerals NL (S-210)
In 1985 Southern Pacific Petroleum NL and Central Pacific Minerals NL (SPP/CPM) studied the potential for developing a
demonstration retort based upon mining the Kerosene Creek Member of the Stuart oil shale deposit in Queensland, Australia.
This study utilized data from a number of previous studies and evaluated different retorting processes. It showed potential
economic advantages for utilizing the Taciuk Process developed by Umatac and AOSTRA (Alberta Oil Sands Technology and
Research Authority) of Alberta, Canada. Batch studies were carried out in 1985, followed by engineering design work and es
timates later the same year. As a consequence of these promising studies a second phase of batch testing at a larger scale was
carried out in 1986. A series of 68 pyrolysis tests were carried out using a small batch unit. A number of these tests achieved oil
yields of 105 percent of Modified Fischer Assay.
As a result of the Phase 2 batch tests, SPP updated their cost estimates and reassessed the feasibility of the Taciuk Processor for
demonstration plant use. The economics continued to favor this process so the decision was made to proceed with tests in the 100
tonne per day pilot plant in 1987. A sample of 2,000 tonnes of dried Stuart oil shale was prepared in late 1986 and early 1987. The
pilot plant program was carried out between June and October 1987.
During the last quarter of 1987, SPP carried out a short drilling program of 10 holes at the Stuart deposit in order to increase infor
mation on the high grade Kerosene Creek member. This is a very high grade seam (134 liters per tonne) with 150 million barrels of
reserves.
SPP/CPM engaged two engineering firms-Bechtel and Davy-to make independent, detailed studies of the shale oil project. The
purpose of the studies is to provide potential financial backers with verifiable information on which to base technical judgment of
the project. These studies were completed in early 1991. Both groups confirmed SPP/CPM's own numbers and endorsed the
AOSTRA Taciuk Processor as the most effective retort for Queensland oil shale.
The overall SPP development plan includes three stages, commencing with a low capital cost, semi-commercial plant at 6,000 tonnes
per day of high grade shale feed producing 4,250 barrels per day of oil. Bechtel Engineering has offered to build the first stage on a
fixed price time certain contract with performance guarantees subject to liquidated damages. Once the retorting technology is
proven the second stage plant at 25,000 tons per day of shale producing 14,000 barrels per day of syncrude from an intermediate
grade will be constructed. Stage three is a replication step with five 25,000 ton per day units producing 60,000 barrels per day of
syncrude from average grade shale, or approximately 15 percent of the projected Australian oil import requirement in the year
2000.
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SYNTHETIC FUELS REPORT, JANUARY 1995