Oil shale retort run 030, consisting of a 7.6 cm diameter by 28 cm long competent shale core drilled axially with seven 0.95 cm holes in a hexagonal pattern (i.e., a borehole retort), was completed. Model calculations were made using Sandia's block retorting code for comparison with experimental data. The observed retorting rate was 9.7 cm/h, while the calculated rate was 9.0 cm/h. Peak temperatures ranged from 670 to 790/sup 0/C, while calculated peak temperatures ranged from 780 to 820/sup 0/C. The observed yield was 69% compared to a calculated value of 78%. The success of the borehole retorting experiment has demonstrated the technical feasibility of borehole retorting. The generally good agreement between observed and calculated temperature profiles, char boundary location, retorting rate, local heating rate, and yield has constituted an important contribution to model validation efforts.