Field experiments performed during the past decade to develop methods for preparing relatively deep oil shale beds for true in situ processing have in nearly all cases employed either the wellbore springing or hydraulic/explosive fracturing concept to introduce the needed permeability into the normally very tight formation. In no case has more than marginal success been achieved. Recently, a study was performed to examine in a detailed way the physical characteristics of the two bed preparation concepts that have been considered in the prior experimental activities. This study led to the conclusion that both concepts have inherent traits which will prevent them from ever becoming viable for practical applications. An overview of the evaluation study is presented in this document, with emphasis given to salient results, rather than to the data that were available for analysis and to the analysis methods. The present document consists of the visual aids and text of an oral presentation that was given at the Laramie Energy Technology Center in October, 1978. A considerably more detailed description of the evaluation study is given in the following report: R.R. Boade, A.L. Stevens, A. Harak, and A. Long, True In Situ Processing of Oil Shale - An Evaluation of Current Bed Preparation Technology, SAND 78-2126, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM (1979).