Westwood Shale Oil Works, Pumpherston, West Lothian

Maker
Unknown
Production date
Circa 1910
 Description
View of the plant showing oil and naphtha storage tanks, retorts, buildings, and chimney. There are rail sidings in the foreground and a sheer leg crane. In the distance is a very large shale bing.
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Object detail

Department
Photo
Maker
Production date
Circa 1910
Subject person
Subject place
Westwood Shale Oil Works/Pumpherston/West Lothian
Subject notes
The Pumpherston Oil Co was formed in 1883 to exploit the ammonia rich shales. It was equipped with 180 retorts in which oil was extracted from the shale. The richest shale provided 200 litres per tonne but by the 1920s the best shale was worked out and only 110 litres per tonne were being obtained.
Accession number
P17163

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