Evaluation of several methods of extraction of oil from a Jordanian oil shale

► Various methods for extracting a Jordanian oil shale were compared. ► High recovery of organic matter was obtained at relatively low temperature (355°C). ► The oil/asphaltene ratio was improved at 425°C. ► Small amounts of added water were beneficial, but larger amounts reduced yields. ► A number of catalysts examined did not benefit oil yields. A Jordanian oil shale from the El Lajjun deposit has been reacted with N2, H2 and CO in the presence and absence of water in the temperature range 300–425°C. The effect of adding Fe, Cu, Ni, Sn and NaAlO2 as potential catalysts to some of these reactions has been studied but none led to improved oil yields. Most of the organic material in the oil shale was converted to asphaltene at 355°C, but the oil yield was low at this temperature. At 425°C nearly all the organic product was in the form of oil.