environmental review of selected oil shale technologies

Oil Shale Symposium, Golden, CO, October 14-15, 2008

Environmental Review of Selected Oil Shale TechnologiesJames R. Covell, RDS-EG&G Technical ServicesWashington Division, URS

2

Objectives

1. To identify environmental impacts that should be considered for the potential development of oil shale resources. Evaluation based on:– publicly available information from Environmental

Assessments– experience from previous oil shale retorts

2. To assess qualitatively the resource requirements of different oil shale technologies– Water– Energy– Land

3

Environmental Evaluation

• General Classes of Oil Shale Technologies Evaluated– In Situ: Indirect Horizontal, Indirect Vertical, Combustion– Modified In Situ– Surface Retorting: Underground Mining, Surface Mining

• Environmental and Resource Considerations– Land Use (Footprint)– Surface Water– Groundwater– Air Quality (Includes Fugitive Dust and Particulates,

CO2 emissions)– Water and Power Requirements

4

Qualitative Environmental Assessment

• Environmental assessments are not absolute and are relative only to other classes of oil shale technologies

• Assessments are based on the potential of a given impact– A “high” potential does not indicate that the impact cannot be

mitigated; only that the impact should be anticipated– Assessments only consider innate environmental characteristics

of the oil shale technology classes• For example, surface retorting processes possess inherently

low potential for groundwater impacts and high potential for air quality impacts

– Assessments do not consider mitigating methods used to reduce or control a given impact

5

Locations - Lease Award R&D Tests

2007 BLM

6

Technology - In Situ, Horizontal Development, Indirect Heating, Energy Source - Spent Retort Combustion

Source: Chevron EA

7

Technology- In Situ, Horizontal Development, Indirect Heating, Energy Source - Spent Retort Combustion

Qualitative Environmental Characteristics

• Moderate Footprint• Reduced External Power Requirements• Moderate Potential for Air Quality Impacts

– GHG (CO2) Generated by Combustion of Spent Retorts• Low Water Demand• Low Potential for Surface Water Impacts• Moderate to High Potential for Groundwater Impacts

8

Technology - In Situ, Horizontal Development; Indirect Heating/Controlled Temperature; Energy Source - External

Source: EGL, 26th Oil Shale Symposium

9

Conceptual Well Field, Plan View

Source: EGL Environmental Assessment

10

Technology - In Situ, Horizontal Development; Indirect Heating/Controlled Temperature; Energy Source - External

Qualitative Environmental Characteristics

• Moderate Footprint• High External Energy Requirement• Moderate Potential for Air Quality Impacts• Low Water Demand• Low Potential for Surface Water Impacts• Moderate to High Potential for Groundwater Impacts

11

Technology – In Situ; Vertical Development; Indirect Heating/Controlled Temperature; Energy Source - External; Hydrologic Containment

Plan View

Vertical View

Source; Shell Oil Company

12

Technology – In Situ; Vertical Development; Indirect Heating/Controlled Temperature; Energy Source - External; Hydrologic Containment

Qualitative Environmental Characteristics• Small Footprint• Aquifer Contacts• Process Fluids Contained (Freeze Wall)• High External Energy Demand• Small Process Water Demand• Post-Retorting Water Demand • Low Potential for Surface Water Impacts• High Potential for Groundwater Impacts• Low Carbonate CO2 Production• Air Quality Impacts- Unknown at Present

13

In Situ Combustion (Rock Springs)

Source: US Department of Energy

14

Technology – In Situ; Horizontal Development; Direct Heating; Energy Source - Retorted Oil Shale

Qualitative Environmental Characteristics

• Moderate Footprint• Low External Power Requirements• Moderate Potential for Air Quality Impacts• Carbonate CO2 Generated in Combustion• Low Water Demand• Low Potential for Surface Water Impacts• High Potential for Groundwater Impacts

15

Modified In Situ ProcessModule Construction

Modified from Stevens and Talbert

16

Technology – Underground Mining/Surface Retort and In Situ; Vertical Development; Direct Heating; Energy Source - Retorted Oil Shale

Qualitative Environmental Characteristics• Larger Footprint• Moderate External Power Requirements (Mining)• High Potential for Air Quality Impacts • High Water Demand • Moderate Potential for Surface Water Impacts• Moderate to High Potential for Groundwater

Impacts

17

Technology – Underground Mine/Surface Retort

Alberta Taciuk Processor (ATP) Retort

Cross Section, White River Oil Shale Mine

Source: Aho, 26th Oil Shale Symposium

18

Technology – Underground Mine/Surface Retort

Qualitative Environmental Characteristics

• Larger Footprint (Spent Shale Disposal)• Moderate to High External Power Requirements• High Potential for Air Quality Impacts• Carbonate CO2 Generated in Combustion• High Water Demand• High Potential for Surface Water Impacts• Moderate Potential for Groundwater Impacts