Oil shale refineries produced oil in China since 1920¡¯s till it was replaced by cheaper oilfield production in 1950¡¯s. Today, the replacement might take place once again with oil shale back into the highlight due to high oil price. 2012 China Petroleum Map recorded 155 critical blocks of 87 major oil shale mines, together with the associated mine development and refinery projects. Their investors include state-owned coal mine companies and oil companies, province-owned companies, foreign and private companies.
Jilin Province¡¯s Oil Shale: Jilin is China¡¯s earliest region where oil shale mine was developed and refined. The discoveries in this area include Huadian oil shale zone, Nong¡¯an oil shale zone, Qianguo oil shale zone, Fuyu oil shale zone, Shulan oil shale zone, Wangqing oil shale zone and Changling oil shale zone etc.