Scoping experiments to determine bounds on a possible process for producing fuel hydrocarbons from oil shale by pyrolysis in a bath of molten Na, Li, and K hydroxides have been done. The process can be carried out at relatively low temperatures, 200 to 225/sup 0/C, requires the presence of water and oxygen, and gives hydrocarbon and organic acid products, apparently free of sulfur and nitrogen. A mechanism of oxidation of kerogen at heteroatoms and other functional groups, followed by decarboxylation of organic acids, is consistent with the observations but is speculative at this time.