This chapter reviews the recent progress toward computer simulation of the growth of vast systems of branched hydraulic cracks needed for the efficient extraction of gas or oil from shale strata. It is emphasized that, to achieve significant gas extraction, the spacing of parallel hydraulic cracks must be on the order of 0.1m, which means that the fracturing of the entire fracking stage would r...

Principal component regression (PCR) was used to develop calibration and prediction models for determination of mineral content of complex mineral mixtures by utilizing attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra. The typical constituents of oil shale such as dawsonite, nahcolite, quartz, dolomite, illite, albite, analcime, and kerogen were used to prepare samples...

The worldwide global demand for oil has grown by 150% since 1965 and 20% in the past 20 years to the current 80 million barrels per day, and is projected to grow by 50% more in the next 20 years [1]. The growth in global demand for oil comes at a time when the supply from relatively cheap conventional sources is declining, and reserves are not being replaced with new discoveries [2]. However, t...

Hydraulic fracturing is a method of oil and gas extraction from shale in which substantial volumes of water return to the surface containing chemicals and microorganisms. This paper begins to address the microbial composition and aqueous chemistry and the potential for intrinsic and enhanced bioremediation of these waters. The waters from a gas and oil shale in the Marcellus and Bakken regions,...

The new requirements for sulfur content in liquid fuels demand the use of novel deep desulfurization processes. 4-methyldibenzothiophene, 4,6dimethyldibenzothiophene and their alkyl-substituted derivatives are the key substances that need to be separated from diesel fuel and fuel oil. These compounds require higher hydrogen consumption in the hydrodesulfurization process and the use of addition...