A Jordanian oil shale from the El Lajjun deposit has been reacted with N(2), H(2) and CO in the presence and absence of water in the temperature range 300-425 degrees C. The effect of adding Fe, Cu, Ni, Sn and NaAlO(2) as potential catalysts to some of these reactions has been studied but none led to improved oil yields. Most of the organic material in the oil shale was converted to asphaltene at 355 degrees C, but the oil yield was low at this temperature. At 425 degrees C nearly all the organic product was in the form of oil. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.