SHALE OIL.

Western Star, 8 November 1921, Page 3

SHALE OIL.

DEVELOPMENTS IN N.S.W,

BIG INDUSTRY PREDICTED

SYDNEY, November 3,

With reference to the kerosene shale deposits, which are situated in the Jooclja Valley (not in tho Lithgow district), tho ‘Daily Telegraph’s’ special representative au the result of a visit and an examination, reports that the supply of shale is practically inexhaustible. He predicts that before long Australia will he producing its own petrol supply, independent of outside markets, at 2s per gallon and kerosene at Is 6d per gallon. He adds that- under the existing method's the output of crude oil is 700 gallons weekly. At this time next, year it may be 15,000 gallons daily. Preparations ate being made already to erect retorts to luimcUo that quantity uncor the new method. [A Sydney cable dated October 2 1 stated: It is reported that a new method of treatment of kerosene shale at the Commonwealth Oil Corporation’s mine at Lithgow promises moiit important results. Up to the present the cost- of distillation lias retarded the development of the indirtrv; therefore it was decided to try a new method by forming natural retorts in the shale itself by sealing off certain areas and setting fire to the chamber of whale thus constructed. It is stated that the first trial proved most successful, the oil flowing in wuch volume that it was impossible to provide coniaincrw for it.j ’ «