Coal, oil shale and tar sands are reviewed in an effort to delineate the applicability of
in-situ exploitation methods and their potential impact on the domestic energy
situation in the years to come. In-situ exploitation is favored because of some
inherent environmental advantages over mining/surface conversion methods;
because, with proper emphasis, the processes could conceivably be commercialized
in the early 80's; and finally because present oil and gas production technology,
specifically from the area of tertiary oil recovery, is thought to be applicable to a
large degree. Values for domestic in-situ recoverable resources are developed for
several processes by (1) excluding non-applicable resources and (2) applying a
compound recovery efficiency to the remainder. The amount and the character of
end products, achievable by each process, are derived. Product end use is suggested
and estimated product values are developed. While a considerable research and
development effort appears to be required prior to process commercialization, the
magnitude of recoverable resources in the U.S. is impressive.