noun
Technical term in geology and energy; refers to sedimentary rock containing kerogen that can be processed into oil.
See also: オイルシェール
含油頁岩は、石油の代替資源として注目されている。
Oil shale is attracting attention as an alternative resource to petroleum.
Synonymous loanword from English; 含油頁岩 is the native Japanese term, while オイルシェール is more common in international contexts.
Compound of 含油 (oil-containing) and 頁岩 (shale), directly describing the rock's property.