# New Oil Shale Extraction Method - NE and West Colorado
**URL:** https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438
**Category:** General Mineral Rights Discussion
**Created:** [July 17, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438 "2010-07-17T17:58:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@penny\_rudolph](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/penny_rudolph)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438/1 "2010-07-17T17:58:21Z")
Does anyone know anything about the new extraction method thought to be profitable even when oil is as low as $40? I think it has completed the testing phase. I’m wondering if this is part of why things are heating up in NE Colorado. What I’ve read pertains to western Colorado.
---
### Author:  [@Lisa\_W1](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Lisa_W1)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438/2 "2010-07-17T22:13:39Z")
I think you’re right. My understanding is that the Niobrara play in NE Colorado is “unconventional.” They’ve known about it for a long time, but until very recently, they didn’t know how to effectively get to it. The oil wells are much more expensive, but they don’t need nearly as many. I think they are most effective when the horizontal branches extend out for about a mile, so generally I think they put in 1 well per 640 acres. My understanding is also that the Niobrara fractures easily.
---
### Author:  [@penny\_rudolph](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/penny_rudolph)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438/3 "2010-07-18T16:33:05Z")
Thanks, so much. You are really helpful. I’ve found a little more information on the process. The new extraction technology is called In-situ Conversion Process (ICP). It hugely accelerates the natural process of oil and gas maturation by slow sub-surface heating of petroleum source rock containing the precursor to oil and gas. Electric resistance heaters are inserted in holes and the subsurface is heated to 600-750 F over a 3 or 4-year period. Sounds a bit sci-fi, but they say it results in the production of 65-70% of the original “carbon” in place in the subsurface. Apparently Shell carried out small field tests in Rio Blanco over a period of 20 years. The latest test produced more than 1400 barrels of light oil plus associated gas from a very small test plot. Are we talking about the same thing?
---
### Author:  [@Lisa\_W1](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Lisa_W1)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438/4 "2010-07-18T20:19:24Z")
I don’t know if we’re talking about the same thing or not, but would venture to guess we are.
penny rudolph said: Thanks, so much. You are really helpful. I’ve found a little more information on the process. The new extraction technology is called In-situ Conversion Process (ICP). It hugely accelerates the natural process of oil and gas maturation by slow sub-surface heating of petroleum source rock containing the precursor to oil and gas. Electric resistance heaters are inserted in holes and the subsurface is heated to 600-750 F over a 3 or 4-year period. Sounds a bit sci-fi, but they say it results in the production of 65-70% of the original “carbon” in place in the subsurface. Apparently Shell carried out small field tests in Rio Blanco over a period of 20 years. The latest test produced more than 1400 barrels of light oil plus associated gas from a very small test plot. Are we talking about the same thing?
---
### Author:  [@system](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/new-oil-shale-extraction-method-ne-and-west-colorado/24438/5 "2018-08-15T04:41:39Z")