Economic and Ecologic Comparison of the Nuclear Stimulation of Natural Gas Fields with Retorting of Oil Shale

This study discusses two possible alternatives for the national dilemma with regard to energy fuel. The methods that will be addressed are: the recovery of natural gas by nuclear stimulation and retorting of oil shale to obtain crude oil. The findings are summarized from the limited employment of both methods in the Piceance Basin of Western Colorado. Particular emphasis is given to a review of the related literature. The similarities and differences of each method have been examined first with regard to ecologic considerations and second from the standpoint of economic considerations. Finally, each method was contrasted in the light of which would be the most economical and which would do the least amount of permanent damage to the ecology. The study concludes that given a fixed amount of fiscal assets and the need to do minimal harm to the environment nuclear stimulation of natural gas fields is the more logical option.