Oilsands Quest's oil shale exploration permit covers 33,790 acres (83,769 hectares) in the Pasquia Hills area of east-central Saskatchewan. The permits provide for the right to explore, mine, quarry and work the permit lands, but not to produce or recover oil shales except for test purposes until a lease has been granted. The permit was granted in 2007 and has a five-year term.

The key challenge to producing kerogen shale lies in finding an economic commercial process. The overall prospects for this project will continue to be examined.