The USA has abundant reserves of oil in oil shale deposits situated mainly in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.  These reserves are estimated at upwards of 2 trillion barrels, more than 10-fold those of Saudi Arabia.  However, there have been formidable barriers to accessing this resource.  For example, the economics of recovering oil from oil shale have not been favorable.  In addition, there are serious concerns about excessive water usage and the potential for release of toxic substances.  However, the situation has changed with the cost per barrel now at historic highs with no signs of significant weakening.  And, as explained herein, technological advances in water treatment and recycling make possible a proposed resolution of environmental issues.   

Over the past two years, at the request of oil-field chemists and engineers in the oil-sands region of Canada, we have developed novel chemistries, methods, and commercial processes for clarifying oil-in-water emulsions that are produced during oil recovery operations.  These patent-pending chemistries and treatments are currently undergoing widespread adoption there.  Our treatment chemicals are based on biological feedstocks, and are both biodegradable and environmentally benign.  Our methods work in a few minutes rather than intervals extending from hours to years, as is the customary practice.  The water is clarified to a new standard of cleanliness so that it can be quickly recycled to the process stream with little or no release to the environment.  Water use is minimized, largely recycled, and can be drawn from on-site wells rather than surface water.