--> The Estonian Oil Shale Industry: an Historical Review, by A. Kogerman and H. Uibopuui; #90986 (1994).

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Abstract: The Estonian Oil Shale Industry: an Historical Review

Aili Kogerman, Helvi Uibopuui

Estonia has been one of the biggest oil shale producers of the world. The history of Estonian oil shale industry reflects the political obstructions and crises, as well as possibilities, there. Oil shale exploration began in 1850-1870. Industrial use of Estonian oil shale emerged during World War I, when the blockade of the Baltic Sea caused a serious energy crisis in St. Petersburg.

In 1918, Estonia gained independence, and several oil shale enterprises started. In 1924, the first oil factory (200 tons/day) was put into operation. By the end of the pre-war Estonian Republic, oil shale had become a typical solid fuel improving industry. To ensure its profitability, protective custom duties were enacted, and this policy guaranteed an independent national power economy.

In 1940, the Soviet Union annexed Estonia and began to exterminate internationally known oil shale specialists. The oil shale industry served as a pretext for colonization of Estonia, and an extensive oil shale industry was created to supply Leningrad with gas. Big power plants and mines were founded. Oil shale production reached 28.9 million tons in 1978.

Oil shale studies developed in Estonia, new types of retorts were designed, and a unit using a solid heat carrier was put into operation.

Now, the reborn Estonian state, left with the heavy burden of a mammoth industry, must solve an extremely important problem: how to equilibrate the national energy balance and how to rehabilitate land devastated by the Soviet occupiers.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994