In situ extraction of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing materials

A method of dissolving heavy oil shale, coal, oil sands, or a combination thereof into a turpentine fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a turpentine fluid selected from the group consisting of natural turpentine, synthetic turpentine, mineral turpentine, pine oil, α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpineol, β-terpineol, 3-carene, anethole, dipentene (p-mentha-1,8-diene), terpene resins, nopol, pinane, camphene, p-cymene, anisaldeyde, 2-pinane hydroperoxide, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, isobornyl acetate, terpin hydrate, ocimene, 2-pinanol, dihydromycenol, isoborneol, α-terpineol, alloocimene, alloocimene alcohols, geraniol, 2-methoxy-2,6-dimethyl-7,8-epoxyoctane, camphor, p-menthan-8-ol, α-terpinyl acetate, citral, citronellol, 7-methoxydihydrocitronellal, 10-camphorsulphonic acid, p-methene, p-menthan-8-yl acetate, cintronellal, 7-hydroxydihydrocitronellal, menthol, menthone, polymers thereof, and mixtures thereof;
• contacting oil shale, coal, oil sands, or a combination thereof with said turpentine fluid to form an extraction mixture so as to dissolve oil shale, coal, oil sands, or a combination thereof into said turpentine fluid and form an extraction fluid comprising said turpentine fluid containing the dissolved oil shale, coal, oil sands, or a combination thereof and at least one non-extracted residual material;
• and
• separating said oil shale, coal, oil sands, or a combination thereof from said residual material.