oil shale

noun

, Geology.

1. a black or dark-brown shale or siltstone rich in bitumens, from which shale oil is obtained by destructive distillation.

oil shale

noun

1. a fine-grained shale containing oil, which can be extracted by heating

oil shale

1. A fine-grained black or dark brown shale containing hydrocarbons in the form of kerogen. When heated, oil shale yields petroleum or natural gas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oil shale¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

It is a former manufacturing state that has been transitioning to newer industries and businesses, but it has a large energy sector because of its abundant oil shale deposits.

From BBC

At one point, Harris was asked about the liberal positions, such as those on oil shale fracking, that she took during her failed 2019 presidential campaign and has since abandoned.

From BBC

Producers also argue it will eventually allow them to develop oil shale and tar sands oil that are currently too costly to pursue.

From Seattle Times

Oil shale, the rock mined and burned for decades to meet a large part of Estonia's energy needs, is abundant in the region but jobs have either been lost or are at risk because of moves toward greener energy.

From Reuters

"That's why we are working on trying to attract more investments to Ida-Virumaa so that they can have different jobs there, not just oil shale industry," she said.

From Reuters