ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Oil shale

Oil shale is like a big rock that has a special kind of oil trapped inside. Think of it like a toy with a surprise inside! But this special oil is not easy to get out like the other types of oil. It takes a lot of work and special technology.

First, people have to find a good place where there is a lot of oil shale. Usually, this is in rocks that are buried in the ground. Then, they have to dig really deep down and take out the rock. They crush it and heat it up to really high temperatures (almost 900 degrees Fahrenheit) in a process called "retorting".

When the rock gets really hot, the special oil inside starts to come out. This oil is different from the oil that comes from the ground. It's thicker and stickier, kind of like honey. But it can still be used to make gasoline for our cars, diesel fuel for trucks, and even plastics!

However, the process of getting the oil out of the rock can be expensive, and it also uses a lot of water and energy. So, some people think that it's not worth it. Others think that it could be a good option for countries that don't have a lot of other sources of oil.