Öljykiven

Öljykivi is a Finnish term that generally refers to oil shale. Oil shale is a sedimentary rock that contains significant amounts of organic matter, specifically kerogen, which is a precursor to liquid petroleum. When oil shale is heated to high temperatures in the absence of air, the kerogen decomposes and releases oil that can be refined and used as fuel. This process is known as retorting.

The formation of oil shale occurs over geological timescales when organic material accumulates in low-oxygen environments, such as ancient lakebeds or shallow marine basins. Over millions of years, this organic matter is buried under layers of sediment, and the heat and pressure transform it into kerogen within the rock. The richness and type of oil shale vary depending on the original organic material and the geological conditions under which it formed.

Economically, oil shale has been explored as a potential source of oil, particularly in times of high crude oil prices. However, the extraction and processing of oil from shale are often energy-intensive and can have significant environmental impacts, including large water usage and the generation of waste rock. The economic viability of oil shale extraction is heavily dependent on technological advancements, environmental regulations, and the global market price of conventional petroleum. While large deposits exist in various parts of the world, including Estonia and the United States, widespread commercial exploitation has been limited compared to conventional oil production.