Abstract: A process for obtaining oil, gas, sulfur and other products from shale whereby there is effected drying, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion and cooling of pyrobituminous shale or similar rocks in a single passage of said shale continuously in a moving bed, the charge and discharge of the shale being intermittent and wherein the maximum temperature of the bed is maintained in the range of about 1050.degree. C to 1200.degree. C (1900.degree. F to 2200.degree. F) or higher. The shale is essentially completely freed from the organic matter, fixed carbon and sulfur, resulting in a clean solid residue which can be disposed of without harming the ecology.