The shrinking of energy supplies from traditional resources makes it imperative that all practical energy resources be developed to meet the energy demands of this country. Recovery of oil from domestic tar sands is being investigated for this purpose, and is part of the Laramie Energy Research Center's research program on unconventional energy resources. Results of laboratory experiments are discussed which indicate applicability of the reverse combustion process for in situ oil recovery from tar sands. Some characteristics of Utah tar sands as determined from core analysis are described. The design is described for a field experiment to evaluate application of reverse combustion for in situ oil recovery from tar sand in the Northwest Asphalt Ridge deposit in Utah.