Hydrocarbon recovery

Chevron Corporation and Los Alamos National Laboratory have announced the creation of a joint research project to improve the recovery of hydrocarbons trapped in oil shales and slow-flowing oil formations.

The goal of the Chevron-Los Alamos collaboration is to develop an environmentally responsible and commercially viable process to recover crude oil and natural gas from western US oil shales. The joint research and development effort will focus on oil shale formations in the Piceance Basin in Colorado. The work will include reservoir simulation and modelling, as well as experimental validation of new recovery techniques, including a form of in- situ (in-ground) processing that has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Chevron has applied to participate in the Bureau of Land Management's research, development and demonstration leasing program in the Piceance Basin. Chevron plans to use the 160-acre lease to evaluate the technologies developed through its alliance with Los Alamos, subject both to approval from the bureau and the success of the research program.