Study of Oil Shale, Hydrocarbon, and Tar Sand Mining. Task 3. Mine Planning and Design. Final Technical Report

摘要

This report covers an investigation into underground mining methods for oil shale in the Piceance Creek Basin of western Colorado. In situ retorting methods are not discussed as the purpose of the project was to focus on the problems associated with conventional underground mining. The major difference between past research on oil shale mining and current requirements is a many fold increase in daily production requirements if oil shale is to make any significant contribution in meeting domestic petroleum needs. This means that oil shale mines will be the largest in the world in terms of underground production. Mining on this scale may require new and innovative systems to operate successfully in light of the high productivity required and the presence of methane in much of the oil shale. This investigation examines possible underground methods considering the special problems of oil shale mining. In addition to examining the available literature, visits were made to future operators in order to get the most current thinking on how oil shale will be mined. A new mining method has been proposed for underground oil shale mining, and an economic analysis was made to compare this system with other proposed mining systems. Based on the examination of mining methods and the interviews with industry and government, the proposed room-and-pillar-sill mining method has potential advantages over other methods proposed in the area of methane control. It is recommended that more detailed technical and economic studies be made in the areas of rock breaking, ground support, transportation and backfilling so that potential problem areas can be more specifically defined and the economics of the system established. 19 references. (ERA citation 10:012305)