Six oil shales from five different sources and of varying richness have been retorted in the controlled state retort using the same retorting conditions. The oils produced have been analyzed for boiling point composition, elemental content, and physical properties. The gases produced have been analyzed for composition. The results of the analyses show differences in oil and gas composition related to shale richness and shale source. These differences include the relationship of boiling point composition to shale grade and shale source, physical properties to shale grade and shale source, product gas composition to shale grade and shale source, and elemental analysis of the oil to the shale source.