San Leon Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) in Morocco, granting San Leon exclusive rights to a 36 km2 Block in the Timahdit Oil Shale Deposit for two years to evaluate the commercial viability of a surface retorting (process yielding shale oil through pyrolysis and vapor condensation) project on the prolific Timahdit oil shale deposits. Timahdit's shale oil yield in the awarded area is considered to be the highest in Morocco with an average of 99 l/t in the rich layers and has significantly less moisture content than many other international oil shale deposits.

Recent analysis by Enefit OutotecTechnology (EOT) has confirmed that the Timahdit oil shale has commercial potential using Enefit's surface retorting process and further raw shale oil upgrading. As a result of low moisture content in the Timahdit shale, the oil project will have an output capacity for power generation as a side product.

Tags: San Leon Energy