shale oil

noun

: a crude dark oil obtained from oil shale by heating

Examples of shale oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The rise in interest rates and inflation could dampen the growth prospects of shale oil producers, particularly smaller companies that are highly sensitive to borrowing costs. Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 As oil prices loiter near 5- year lows and costs rise in the oil patch, expectations for U.S. shale oil production are becoming more pessimistic. Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025 Low prices are pressuring U.S. shale oil producers, who generally need crude prices at $65 per barrel to drill new wells profitably. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 12 May 2025 Executives on the frontline of the U.S. shale oil boom were scathing in their criticism of Trump’s policies in anonymous responses to that same survey. Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shale oil

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shale oil was in 1857

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Cite this Entry

“Shale oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shale%20oil. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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