KEROSENE SHALE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16572, 3 November 1921, Page 7

KEROSENE SHALE.

INEXHAUSTIBLE SUPPLY. SUCCESSFUL RESULTS. By Teleerraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 3, 8.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 3. With reference to the kerosene shale developments at the Commonwealth Oil Corporation’s mine, which is situated in tho Joodja Valley and not in the Lithgow district, tho special representative of the “ DaiL’ Telegraph,” as the result of a visit of examination, reports that the supply of whale is practically inexhaustible and predicts that before long Australia will be producing her own petrol supply, independent of the outside markets, at 2s a gallon and kerosene at Is 6d a gallon. He adds that under the existing methods the output of crute oil is 700 gallons weoktj. At this time next year it may be 15,000 gallons daily. Preparations are already being made to erect retorts to handle that quantity under the new method. It was previously reported that a new treatment of kerosene shale at the Commonwealth Oil Corporation’s mine at Lithgow promised most important results. It was decided to try a new method by forming natural retorts in the shale itself, sealing off certain areas and setting fire to the chamber of shale thus constructed. It was stated that the first trial proved most succesful, oil flowing in such a volume that it was found impossible to provide containers for it.