Mountain West Energy
Type Private
Industry Oil shale industry
Founded 2005 (2005)
Headquarters Highland, Utah, United States
Key people Kevin Shurtleff (President)
Website www.mtnwestenergy.com

Mountain West Energy, LLC is an American unconventional oil recovery technology research and development company based in Orem, Utah. It is a developer of the In-situ Vapor Extraction Technology, an in-situ shale oil extraction technology. The company owns 880 acres (3.6 km2) oil shale leases in the Uintah Basin, Uintah County, Utah.[1]

In 2008, Mountain West Energy won the Clean Technology and Energy Utah Innovation Award.[2]

Technology

In-Situ Vapor Extraction technology is an experimental technology proposed for the in-situ shale oil extraction. In addition, it is suitable for enhanced oil recovery and for extraction of heavy oil and oil sands. For conversion the kerogen in oil shale into shale oil, a high-temperature gas is used. Gas is injected into the oil shale formation through an injection well. In the oil shale formation, gas transfers its heat to oil shale causing pyrolysis. As a result, shale oil vapors are generated. Resulted oil vapors are swept to the surface through an extraction well by the process gas. In the surface the condensation of oil vapors and separation of oil and gas conducted in a separator. After separation the gas is re-heated and re-circulated.[1]

In 2009, Mountain West Energy concluded an exclusive agreement with San Leon Energy granting the right of usage of the technology for a three year pilot project on the Tarfaya oil shale deposit of Morocco. San Leon signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Office of Hydrocarbon and Mining of Morocco on the Tarfaya oil shale deposit in May 2009.[3]

References

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