A true in situ processing technique will be used at the Talley-Frac site to recover shale oil. This process involves fracturing the oil shale with chemical explosives and in place combustion retorting underground. A minimum amount of residue kerogen will be used in the combustion process under controlled conditions. Most of the recoverable oil is displaced toward the production well region located ahead of the flame front by air which is continuously injected into the retort zone to sustain and control the combustion process.