The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-05
OIL IN COLORADO
ROCK MAY AVERT
GASOLINE FAMINE
Experiments Completed by
Geological Survey Indicate
ShaIe Formation Is Rich in
Possibilities.

the war by its extraordinary de-
mands on production IL in the way
OF giving rise to an important ne" m
dustry for the United states; Besin-
ming OF active operations looking to-
ward the extraction Of petroleum from
shale near peBeque, Col, calls atten-
ton to the fact that in the develop
ment OF this industry government geol-
ogists hope to avert a possible gaso,,
line famine or dangerous shortage OF
fuel oil consequent upon the enormous
ly increased demands of the airpiaile
and motor truck for gasoline and Of
oil burning ships for liquid fuel,
Recent studies and tests by the
United States geological survey. &C
cording to Guy Elliott Mitchell o. tne
survey, have shown that the United
States possesses mountain rangeR OF
rock capable OF yielding billions Of
barrels OF oil by distillation,
The fact has been brought TO hight
also, Mr.. Mitchell points out, that OIL
RADIO are today successfully mined and
worked as a commercial source Of oil
and other Industrial products, pnrticu-
larly in Scotland. where the industry
Is a ~half-oentury old. IT.,
While the Scotch oil shPles yield
of rock, yet the principal operating
companies, according to Mr., Mitchell
paw annual dividends averaging IS per
cent, and Mr., Mitchell points out that
the shales in the Western United
States are far richer In oil than those
Of Scotland. .
MANY tests made by tho geological
survey show that the American rocks,
says Mr.. Mitchell. contain 40 to 80
gallons to tho ton and those in one
deposit tested 90 gallons, or more than
two barrels to the ton"
No. yTfnalAr4Ar 80 thA IFnbfnI
States geological survey, In the official
publication OF that office, has gone on
record with this statement: TN Colo
RADIO alone there Is sufficient shale, in
beds, three feet or more thick and
capable Of yielding more oil than the
average shale now mined in Scotland,
to yield 20, 900, 900, 900 barrels Of crude
| oil, from which 1000, 900, 900 barrels of
gasoline may be extracted by ordinary
methods Of refining, and in Utah there
Is probably an equal amount OF shale
just as rich. The same shale in Colo
RADIO, in addition to the oil. should pro-
duoe. with but little added cost, 800
900, 900 tons Of ammonium sulphate, "A
compound especially valuable as fer
tilizer."
The United States government has
recognized the value Of this esource
by setting aside as a special reserve
for the American navy 1872, 900 acres OF
oil shale lands.
The process OF distillation Is de-
scribed as comparatively simple and
offers nc obstacle to commercial ex-
ploitation.
The potential value Of this immense |
OIL resource OF America Is almost be-
yond comprehension says Mr.. Mitch |
ell in summing UP his conclusions.
Until recently the oil shales Of the
United States, particularly those Of the
Western states, had been referred to
kxy thn ant OanInnfota ne "a N |
serve valuable for extraction whenever
tho demand and the price hal become
great enough TO warrant the establish |
ment OF a new industry to supplement
the supply Of petroleum from the oil
fields This time Is now at hand" y