Galoter process

{{Short description|Shale oil extraction technology}} {{Infobox industrial process | name = Galoter process Enefit process | image = VKG Petroter.jpg | caption = VKG Petroter | type = Chemical | sector = Chemical industry oil industry | technologies = | feedstock = oil shale | product = shale oil | companies = Eesti Energia VKG Oil | facility = Narva Oil Plant Petroter | inventor = Krzhizhanovsky Power Engineering Institute | year = | developer = Eesti Energia Outotec }} The ''' Galoter process''' (also known as '''TSK''', '''UTT''', or '''SHC'''; its newest modifications are called '''Enefit''' and '''Petroter''') is a shale oil extraction technology for the production of shale oil, a type of synthetic crude oil. In this process, the oil shale is decomposed into shale oil, oil shale gas, and spent residue. Decomposition is caused by mixing raw oil shale with hot oil shale ash generated by the combustion of carbonaceous residue (semi-coke) in the spent residue. The process was developed in the 1950s, and it is used commercially for shale oil production in Estonia. There are projects for further development of this technology and expansion of its usage, e.g., in Jordan and the USA.

==History== Research on the solid heat carrier process for pyrolysis of lignite, peat, and oil shale started in 1944 at the G. M. Krzhizhanovsky Power Engineering Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.<ref name=volkov> {{Cite journal | last1 = Volkov | first1 = E. | last2 =Stelmakh | first2 = G. | title= The stages of research on creating commercial units for processing the oil shale fines. Development of the process "Galoter" in 1944-1999 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DgFbDMdr-TcC&pg=PA161 | journal= Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal | publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers | volume=16 | issue= 2 | pages=161–185 | year=1999 | doi = 10.3176/oil.1999.2.08 | s2cid = 252577570 | issn=0208-189X | access-date=2011-07-05 | doi-access= free }}</ref> At the laboratory scale, the Galoter process was invented and developed in 1945–1946.<ref name=petersen/> The process was named Galoter after the research team leader, Israel Galynker, whose name was combined with the word "thermal".<ref name=volkov/><ref name=volkov2> {{Cite journal | last1 = Volkov | first1 = E. | title = High-efficiency technology for oil shale processing | url = http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale_pdf/2013/issue_2/Oil-2013-2-95-100.pdf | journal = Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal | publisher = Estonian Academy Publishers | volume = 30 | issue = 2 | pages = 95–100 | year = 2013 | issn=0208-189X | access-date=2011-07-05 | doi = 10.3176/oil.2013.2.01 }} </ref><ref name=holmberg> {{Cite book | last= Holmberg | first= Rurik | title= Survival of the Unfit. Path Dependence and the Estonian Oil Shale Industry | series=Linköping Studies in Arts and Science | publisher= Linköping University | volume= 427 | pages=188–189 | year=2008 | url= http://liu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:133713/FULLTEXT01 | format=PDF | access-date=2011-07-05 }}</ref>

Further research continued in Estonia. A pilot unit with a capacity of 2.5 tonnes of oil shale per day was built in Tallinn in 1947.<ref name=volkov/><ref name=holmberg/> The first Galoter-type commercial scale pilot retorts were built at Kiviõli, Estonia, in 1953 and 1963 (closed in 1963 and 1981, respectively), with capacities of 200 and 500 tonnes of oil shale per day, respectively.<ref name=petersen/><ref name=holmberg/><ref name=golubev> {{Cite journal | last=Golubev | first=Nikolai | title=Solid heat carrier technology for oil shale retorting | journal=Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal | publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers | volume=20 | issue=3 Special | pages=324–332 | year=2003 | doi=10.3176/oil.2003.3S.05 | s2cid=131313828 | url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/6_golubev_2003_3s.pdf | issn=0208-189X | access-date=2008-12-14 }}</ref><ref name=ots2> {{Cite book | last=Ots | first=Arvo | editor=Toni Tyson |editor2=Mary McQuillen | title=Oil Shale Fuel Combustion | publisher=Arv Ots; Eesti Energia | location=Tallinn | orig-year=2004 | year=2006 | pages=13–17 | isbn=978-9949-13-710-7}} </ref> The Narva Oil Plant, annexed to the Eesti Power Plant and operating two Galoter-type 3000 tonnes per day retorts, was commissioned in Estonia in 1980.<ref name=golubev/><ref name=ots2/><ref name=jjmie> {{Cite journal |last1=Jaber |first1=Jamel O. |last2=Sladek |first2=Thomas A. |last3=Mernitz |first3=Scott |last4=Tarawneh |first4=T. M. |title=Future Policies and Strategies for Oil Shale Development in Jordan |year=2008 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=31–44 |journal=Jordan Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering |url=http://jjmie.hu.edu.jo/files/V2/004-v2-1.pdf |issn=1995-6665 |access-date=2008-12-06 }}</ref> These retorts were designed by AtomEnergoProject and developed in cooperation with the Krzhizhanovsky Institute.<ref name=volkov/><ref name=golubev/> Started as a pilot plant, the process of converting it to a commercial-scale plant took about 20 years. During this period, the company has modernized more than 70% of the equipment compared to the initial design.<ref name=petersen> {{Cite conference |last=Petersen |first=Ilmar |title=The Unique Experience of Oil Shale Utilization at Narva Power Plants (NPP) |conference=World Energy Council. Executive Council |location=Tallinn, Estonia |publisher=WEC-Estonia |url=http://www.wec-estonia.ee/energy_day/fscommand/Ilmar_Petersen_WEC.pdf |date=2006-09-07 |access-date=2009-07-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225122356/http://www.wec-estonia.ee/energy_day/fscommand/Ilmar_Petersen_WEC.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-25 }} </ref>

In 1978, a 12.5-tonnes pilot plant was built in Verkhne-Sinevidnoy, Ukraine. It was used for testing Lviv–Volinsk lignite, and Carpathian, Kashpir (Russia), and Rotem (Israel) oil shales. In 1996–1997, a test unit was assembled in Tver.<ref name=volkov/>

In 2008, Estonian energy company Eesti Energia, an operator of Galoter retorts at the Narva Oil Plant, established a joint venture with the Finnish technology company Outotec called Enefit Outotec Technology to develop and commercialize a modified Galoter process–the Enefit process–which combines the current process with circulating fluidized bed technologies.<ref name=err290812> {{cite news | url = http://news.err.ee/v/economy/2de21cb6-c46f-47ef-8961-3510a17ac65c | title = Eesti Energia Joint Venture to Assess Moroccan Shale Field | publisher = ERR | date = 2012-08-29 | access-date=2014-03-08}} </ref> In 2013, Enefit Outotec Technology opened an Enefit testing plant in Frankfurt.<ref name=err110613> {{cite news | url = http://news.err.ee/v/economy/694fcf9d-f46d-4ca1-9ebc-cd969b199ee1 | title = Eesti Energia Opens Testing Facility in Frankfurt | publisher = ERR | date = 2013-06-11 | access-date = 2014-04-14}} </ref><ref name=postimees110613> {{cite news | url = http://news.postimees.ee/1266694/estonia-s-eesti-energia-opens-pilot-plant-in-frankfurt | title = Estonia's Eesti Energia opens pilot plant in Frankfurt | newspaper = Postimees | agency = BNS | date = 2013-06-11 | access-date = 2014-04-14}} </ref> In 2012, Eesti Energia opened a new generation Galoter-type plant in Narva using Enefit 280 technology.<ref name=err240314> {{cite news | url = http://news.err.ee/v/sci-tech/6df514bc-523e-474c-9228-d55fbb06a8ce | title = Enefit Plant Costs Could Soar by €28 Million | publisher = ERR | date = 2014-03-24 | access-date = 2014-04-05}} </ref>

In 2009–2015, VKG Oil, a subsidiary of Viru Keemia Grupp, opened in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia, three modified Galoter-type oil plants called Petroter.<ref name=bnn221209> {{cite news |url=http://bbn.ee/Default.aspx?PublicationId=2c904491-bbfc-416d-8c1d-01b76dab5192 |title=VKG opens Estonia's most modern oil refinery |first=Toomas |last=Hõbemägi |publisher=BBN |date=2009-12-22 |access-date=2011-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003220615/http://bbn.ee/Default.aspx?PublicationId=2c904491-bbfc-416d-8c1d-01b76dab5192 |archive-date=2011-10-03 |url-status=live }} </ref><ref name=err081014> {{cite news | url = http://news.err.ee/v/economy/913e7354-384b-418e-bcc1-27030a3dcce6 | title = Viru Keemia Group Opens Second Shale Oil Plant | publisher = ERR | date = 2014-10-08 | access-date = 2015-01-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141201182356/http://news.err.ee/v/economy/913e7354-384b-418e-bcc1-27030a3dcce6 | archive-date = 2014-12-01 | url-status = live}} </ref><ref name=postimees111115> {{cite news | url = http://majandus24.postimees.ee/3395853/vkg-avas-polevkivitootlemise-tehase-petroter-iii | title = VKG avas põlevkivitöötlemise tehase Petroter III |trans-title=VKG opens Petroter III oil shale processing plant | newspaper = Postimees | agency = BNS | date = 2015-11-11 | access-date = 2016-01-17 | language = et | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141201182356/http://news.err.ee/v/economy/913e7354-384b-418e-bcc1-27030a3dcce6 | archive-date = 2014-12-01 | url-status = live}} </ref>

==Technology==

===Galoter retort=== The Galoter process is an above-ground oil-shale retorting technology classified as a hot recycled solids technology.<ref name=AICHE>{{Cite conference | last1 = Burnham | first1 = Alan K. | last2 = McConaghy | first2 = James R. | title = Comparison of the acceptability of various oil shale processes | page = 17 | date = 2006-10-16 | location = Golden, Colorado | conference = 26th Oil shale symposium | publisher = Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | url = https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/341283.pdf | id = UCRL-CONF-226717 | access-date = 2008-12-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160213164539/https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/341283.pdf | archive-date = 2016-02-13 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The process uses a horizontal cylindrical rotating kiln-type retort, which is slightly declined.<ref name=qian/> It has similarities with the TOSCO II process.<ref name=koel/><ref name=assessment> {{Cite book | title= An Assessment of Oil Shale Technologies | publisher = DIANE Publishing | author = United States Office of Technology Assessment | author-link = Office of Technology Assessment | url=http://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk3/1980/8004/8004.PDF | date = June 1980 | id = NTIS order #PB80-210115 | access-date=2009-07-10 | isbn = 978-1-4289-2463-5}} </ref>

Before retorting, the oil shale is crushed into fine particles with a size of less than {{convert|25|mm|in|1}} in diameter. The crushed oil shale is dried in the fluidized bed drier (aerofountain drier) by contact with hot gases.<ref name=golubev/><ref name=oilshale3> {{Cite journal |last1=Mõtlep |first1=R. |last2=Kirsimäe |first2=K. |last3=Talviste |first3=P. |last4=Puura |first4=E. |last5=Jürgenson |first5=J. |title= Mineral composition of Estonian oil shale semi-coke sediments |journal=Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal |publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=97–98 |year=2007 |doi=10.3176/oil.2007.3.01 |s2cid=18057213 |url= http://www.eap.ee/public/oilshale/oil-2007-3-2.pdf |issn=0208-189X |access-date=2009-07-10}} </ref> After drying and pre-heating to {{convert|135|°C|°F}}, oil shale particles are separated from gases by cyclonic separation. Oil shale is transported to the mixer chamber, where it is mixed with hot ash of {{convert|800|°C|°F|-1}}, produced by combustion of spent oil shale in a separate furnace.<ref name=soone/> The ratio of oil shale ash to raw oil shale is 2.8–3:1.<ref name=golubev/> The mixture is moved then to the hermetic rotating kiln. When the heat transfers from the hot ash to raw oil shale particles, the pyrolysis (chemical decomposition) begins in oxygen deficit conditions.<ref name=soone>{{Cite conference |last=Soone |first=Jüri |author2=Riisalu, Hella |author3=Kekisheva, Ljudmilla |author4=Doilov, Svjatoslav |title=Environmentally sustainable use of energy and chemical potential of oil shale |publisher=International Oil Shale Conference |date=2006-11-07 |location=Amman, Jordan |quote=Dry oil shale leaves the drier at temperature up to 135 °C and then is mixed with solid heat carrier – hot ash (750 – 800 °C) – at a ratio of 1,8/1. The ash is obtained by combustion of spent residue in a separate furnace. Mixture of oil shale and heat carrier is fed into a horizontal rotating retort. |url=http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A104.pdf |access-date=2008-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928110803/http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A104.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The temperature of pyrolysis is kept at {{convert|520|°C|°F|-1}}.<ref name=koel> {{Cite journal |last=Koel|first=Mihkel |title=Estonian oil shale |journal=Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal |publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers |issue=Extra |year=1999 |url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/Est-OS.htm |issn=0208-189X |access-date=2008-12-06}} </ref> Produced oil vapors and gases are cleaned of solids by cyclones and moved to condensation system (rectification column) where shale oil condenses and oil shale gas is separated in gaseous form.<ref name=golubev/><ref name=qian/> Spent shale (semi-coke) is transported then to the separate furnace for combustion to produce hot ash. A portion of the hot ash is separated from the furnace gas by cyclones and recycled to the rotary kiln for pyrolysis.<ref name=soone/> The remaining ash is removed from the combustion gas by more cyclones and cooled and removed for disposal by using water.<ref name=golubev/> The cleaned hot gas returns to the oil shale dryer.

The Galoter process has high thermal and technological efficiency, and high oil recovery ratio.<ref name=jjmie/><ref name=qian>{{Cite conference | last=Qian | first=Jialin | author2=Wang Jianqiu | title=World oil shale retorting technologies | publisher=International Oil Shale Conference | date=2006-11-07 | location=Amman, Jordan | url=http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A118.pdf | access-date=2008-12-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527234146/http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A118.pdf | archive-date=2008-05-27 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Oil yield reaches 85–90% of Fischer Assay and retort gas yield accounts for 48 cubic meters per tonne.<ref name=qian/> Oil quality is considered good, but the equipment is sophisticated and capacity is relatively low.<ref name=jjmie/> This process creates less pollution than internal combustion technologies, as it uses less water, but it still generates carbon dioxide as also carbon disulfide and calcium sulfide.<ref name=oilshale2> {{Cite journal |last=Mölder|first=Leevi |title=Estonian Oil Shale Retorting Industry at a Crossroads |journal=Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal |publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=97–98 |year=2004 |doi=10.3176/oil.2004.2.01 |s2cid=252707682 |url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/1_ed_page_2004_2.pdf |issn=0208-189X |access-date=2008-11-23}} </ref>

===Enefit process=== Enefit process is a modification of the Galoter process being developed by Enefit Outotec Technology.<ref name=err28011> {{cite news | url = http://news.err.ee/economy/5b56f965-02fd-4adb-8cf5-6988361e1550 | title = Enefit Gets Lookover from Utah Officials | first = Kristopher | last = Rikken | publisher = ERR | date = 2011-06-28 | access-date = 2011-06-30}} </ref> In this process, the Galoter technology is combined with proven circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustion technology used in coal-fired power plants and mineral processing. Oil shale particles and hot oil shale ash are mixed in a rotary drum as in the classical Galoter process. The primary modification is the replacing of the Galoter semi-coke furnace with a CFB furnace. The Enefit process also incorporates fluid bed ash cooler and waste heat boiler commonly used in coal-fired boilers to convert waste heat to steam for power generation. Compared to the traditional Galoter, the Enefit process allows complete combustion of carbonaceous residue, improved energy efficiency by maximum utilization of waste heat, and less water use for quenching. According to promoters, the Enefit process has a lower retorting time compare to the classical Galoter process and therefore it has a greater throughput. Avoidance of moving parts in the retorting zones increases their durability.<ref name=siirde> {{Cite conference |last=Siirde |first=Andres |author2=Martins, Ants |title=Oil shale fluidized bed retorting technology with CFB furnace for burning the by-products |publisher=Tallinn University of Technology |conference=International Oil Shale Symphosium |date=2009-06-07 |location=Tallinn, Estonia |url=http://www.oilshalesymposium.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/SIIRDE.pdf |access-date=2009-07-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224021635/http://www.oilshalesymposium.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/SIIRDE.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-24 }} </ref>

==Commercial use== Two Galoter retorts built in 1980 are used for oil production by the Narva Oil Plant, a subsidiary of the Estonian energy company Eesti Energia.<ref name=fossilenergy> {{Cite journal | title =Strategic significance of America's oil shale resource. Volume II: Oil shale resources, technology and economics |author1=Johnson, Harry R. |author2=Crawford, Peter M. |author3=Bunger, James W. | publisher= Office of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Petroleum Reserves; Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves; United States Department of Energy | year=2004 | url=http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/reserves/npr/publications/npr_strategic_significancev2.pdf |access-date=2008-11-23}} </ref> Both retorts process 125 tonnes per hour of oil shale.<ref name=Estonia> {{Cite journal |last=Liive|first=Sandor |title=Oil Shale Energetics in Estonia |journal=Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal |publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=1–4 |year=2007 |doi=10.3176/oil.2007.1.01 |url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale/oil-2007-1-1.pdf |issn=0208-189X |access-date=2007-06-24}} </ref> The annual shale oil production is 135,000 tonnes and oil shale gas production is {{convert|40|e6m3/a|abbr=off}}.<ref name=petersen/> Since 2012, it also uses a new plant employing Enefit 280 technology with a processing capacity of 2.26 million tonnes of oil shale per year and producing 290,000 tonnes of shale oil and {{convert|75|e6m3|abbr=off}} of oil shale gas.<ref name=err240314/> In addition, Eesti Energia planned to begin construction of similar Enefit plants in Jordan<ref name=Al-Ayed> {{cite web |title=Jordan Oil Shale Project |publisher=Omar Al-Ayed, Balqa Applied University |year=2008 |url=http://www.jordanoilshale.net/page4.aspx |access-date=2008-08-15 |url-status=usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080603231353/http://www.jordanoilshale.net/page4.aspx |archive-date = 2008-06-03}} </ref> and in USA.<ref name=UFC> {{Cite conference |last=Mikk |first=Harri |title=Introduction to Enefit |date=2011-06-03 |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |conference=Unconventional Fuel Conference |publisher=University of Utah |url=http://www.icse.utah.edu/assets/archive/2011/assets/pdfs/enefit_mikk_2011.pdf |access-date=2011-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110182902/http://www.icse.utah.edu/assets/archive/2011/assets/pdfs/enefit_mikk_2011.pdf |archive-date=2011-11-10 }} </ref> Enefit Outotec Technology analysis suitability of Enefit technology for the Tarfaya oil shale deposit in Morocco, developed by San Leon Energy.<ref name=err290812/>

VKG Oil operates in Kohtal-Järve, Estonia three modified Galoter-type oil plants called Petroter.<ref name=postimees111115/> The basic engineering of these retorts was done by Atomenergoproject of Saint Petersburg. The basic engineering of the condensation and distillation plant was done by Rintekno of Finland.<ref name=rintekno> {{Cite journal |title=New shale oil line for VKG Oil AS |journal=Rintekno Newsletter |publisher=Rintekno Oy |volume=20 |year=2006 | url=http://www.rintekno.fi/easydata/customers/rintekno/files/pdf_publications/newsletter2006.pdf |access-date=2008-12-13 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070920163235/http://www.rintekno.fi/easydata/customers/rintekno/files/pdf_publications/newsletter2006.pdf |archive-date = 2007-09-20}} </ref> The plant has a processing capacity of 1.1 million tonnes of oil shale per year and it produces 100,000 tonnes of shale oil, {{convert|30|e6m3|abbr=off}} of oil shale gas, and 150 GWh of steam per year.<ref name=petroter> {{Cite journal |last1= Aleksandrov |first1= Julia |last2= Purga |first2= Jaanus |title= Viru Keemia Grupp opened a new oil shale processing plant in Estonia |journal=Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal |publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=84–85 |year=2010 |url= http://www.kirj.ee/public/oilshale_pdf/2010/issue_1/oil-2010-1-84-85.pdf |issn=0208-189X |access-date=2011-03-20}} </ref>

Saudi Arabian International Corporation for Oil Shale Investment planned to utilize Galoter (UTT-3000) process to build a {{convert|30000|oilbbl/d}} shale oil plant in Jordan.<ref name=Blokhin> {{Cite conference | last1 = Blokhin | first1 = Alexander | last2 = Golmshtok | first2 = Edouard | last3 = Petrov | first3 = Mikhail | last4 = Kozhitsev | first4 = Dmitriy | last5 = Salikhov | first5 = Ruslan | last6 = Thallab | first6 = Hashim | title = Adaptation of Galoter Technology for High Sulfurous Oil Shale in Arid Region | conference = 28th Oil Shale Symposium | location = Golden, Colorado | date = 2008-10-15 | url = http://www.ceri-mines.org/documents/28thsymposium/abstracts08/ABS_20-22_BLOKHIN_Alexander.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120425112449/http://www.ceri-mines.org/documents/28thsymposium/abstracts08/ABS_20-22_BLOKHIN_Alexander.pdf | url-status = usurped | archive-date = April 25, 2012 | access-date =2011-10-29}} </ref><ref name=jordantimes030313> {{Cite news |title = Cabinet approves deals for shale oil distillation, oil exploration |agency = Jordan News Agency |newspaper = The Jordan Times |date = 2013-03-03 |url = http://jordantimes.com/cabinet-approves-deals-for-shale-oil-distillation-oil-exploration |access-date = 2013-03-06 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130306042854/http://jordantimes.com/cabinet-approves-deals-for-shale-oil-distillation-oil-exploration |archive-date = 2013-03-06 }} </ref> Uzbekneftegaz planned to build eight UTT-3000 plants in Uzbekistan.<ref name=utt201112> {{Cite news | title= Atomenergoproekt have completed a conceptual design for 8 x UTT-3000 complex in Uzbekistan (Sangruntau) | url = http://galoter.com/news/view_30/ | work = TTU Ltd. | date= 2012-11-20 | access-date = 2013-03-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140309184035/http://galoter.com/news/view_30/ | archive-date = 2014-03-09 | url-status = dead}} </ref><ref name=azer130513> {{Cite news | title= Oil-shale processing plant to be commissioned in Uzbekistan by 2016 | url = http://www.azernews.az/oil_and_gas/54032.html | work = AzerNews | first = Aynur | last = Jafarova | date= 2013-05-13 | access-date = 2014-03-10}} </ref> However, in December 2015 Uzbekneftegaz announced a postponement of the project.<ref name=trend291215> {{Cite news | title = Uzbekistan postpones shale plant construction | url = http://www.oananews.org/content/news/bussiness/uzbekistan-postpones-shale-plant-construction | work = Trend News Agency | date= 2015-12-29 | access-date = 2016-03-25}} </ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Oil shale technology Category:Oil shale in Estonia