Analytical laboratory research and performance during the Anvil Points oil shale program

Abstract

The United States Bureau of Mines facility at Anvil Points, near Rifle, Colorado, was reactivated starting in May 1964 and was operated during 1965, 1966, and 1967. A research and development program was conducted to investigate the technical feasibility of room-and-pillar mining with explosives, crushing and Gas-Combustion Retorting techniques for oil shale. Mobil Oil Corporation acted as Project Manager for the cooperative industry group at Rifle, Colorado which included Continental Oil Company, Humble Oil and Refining Company, Pan American Petroleum Corporation, Phillips Petroleum Company, and Sinclair Research, Inc. as Participating Parties. This document represents a final report of research by authorized personnel employed by the Participating Parties. The various activities are in progress or show that certain significant data have been obtained within the Research Center. Costs of the Rifle operation were shared equally by the six participants. Each Participating Party was represented by personnel on the technical staff. The Colorado School of Mines Research Foundation, Inc. acted as lessor-of-record and supplied nontechnical personnel for administrative and logistic support.