savikiviöljyn

Savikiviöljyn, also known as shale oil, is a synthetic crude oil obtained from oil shale. Oil shale is a sedimentary rock that contains significant amounts of organic matter known as kerogen. When oil shale is heated to high temperatures in a process called retorting, the kerogen breaks down and vaporizes, producing shale oil and gas. This shale oil can then be further refined into various petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel.

The extraction of shale oil has been practiced for centuries in various forms. Historically, it was used for lighting and heating. Modern extraction methods involve large-scale mining of oil shale, followed by processing in retorts. There are also in-situ methods where the oil shale is heated underground, allowing the oil to be pumped to the surface without physically removing the rock.

The production of shale oil is an energy-intensive process and has significant environmental considerations. These include land disturbance from mining, water usage, potential for water contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. The economic viability of shale oil production is highly dependent on the price of conventional crude oil, as well as the costs associated with extraction and processing. While shale oil represents a substantial potential energy resource, its widespread commercial exploitation faces challenges related to cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.