[Zathras]

My understanding, which could well be wrong, is that the rate at which we can get oil out of shale is very low.
The amount of energy which goes into generating oil out of oil shale is very high.
Yes, it can be done, but it doesn't produce all that much net increase in energy.
I am very curious about what they mean when they say that shale can also be drilled/mined in a relatively 'clean' manner.
I agree with you though, as you said, if what they say is true, we should be mining/drilling the shale deposits. I am just doubtful it is true