Wagon Report
Compiled by Steven Fredrick Lappage
AN early version of ‘fracking’ took the form of extracting oil from shale rock in Scotland.
The industry dated from the 1860s and covered around 80 square miles in the Bathgate area. Shale rock was broken in a retort and oil distilled at 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
At its peak in 1915, production reached three million tons, with around 25-45 gallons of oil distilled per ton. However, by the 1920s, the industry was in decline – partly due to the formation of British Petroleum, which had major oil interests in Iran. Better methods of extraction staved off final closure until 1962.