 Fuels Technology
During 2006, production of renewable diesel fuel began at a ConocoPhillips refinery in Europe, with introduction of the process anticipated soon at several of the company’s U.S. refineries. Other fuel-related research is evaluating greater use of ethanol in gasoline, removal of unwanted byproducts from fuel, identification of more effective refinery catalysts, potential molecular-level enhancements to fuel blends, and thermo-chemically converting cellulosic biomass – wood, corn stover and switch grass – into bio-oil. In the first quarter of 2007, ConocoPhillips and Tyson Foods, Inc. announced a strategic alliance to produce and market the next generation of renewable diesel fuel. The alliance plans to use beef and pork by-product fat to create a transportation fuel which will help supplement the traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel supply.
Heavy Oil
ConocoPhillips has long been a leader in producing, processing and refining heavy oil. In 2006, ConocoPhillips and EnCana Corporation entered into an agreement to create an integrated, North American heavy oil business comprised of two 50/50 operating partnerships, one Canadian upstream partnership and one U.S. downstream partnership, with both companies contributing equally valued assets and equity for future capital expenditures. ConocoPhillips’ heavy oil capabilities also are aiding in evaluating the feasibility of producing shale oil in the U.S. Rocky Mountains. A similar approach is being used to analyze the producibility of natural gas hydrates – methane trapped in ice in arctic regions and beneath sea beds.
 E-GasTM
Carbon dioxide emissions also is a major focus of the company’s research. ConocoPhillips is licensing its proprietary E-Gas™ technology to coal industry customers. The technology offers the potential to burn coal more cleanly while generating purer streams of carbon dioxide that can be used in industrial processes or injected to recover more oil from aging reservoirs and potentially more methane from coal beads.
In late 2007, ConocoPhillips and Peabody Energy announced an agreement to explore the development of a commercial scale coal-to-substitute natural gas (SNG) facility using E-Gas. Kentucky was selected as the location to study the development of this facility. The companies are conducting a feasibility study for a state-of-the-art “mine-mouth” gasification project, using E-Gas, which could result in the creation of more than 500 high-wage jobs and future production representing as much as 1.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas over the life of the project. The study will review optimum project designs and specific sites, and is expected to continue into 2008.
Carbon Sequestration
Research continues on capturing waste carbon dioxide and injecting it deep underground into depleted reservoirs, thus reducing atmospheric emissions. ConocoPhillips has developed technologies that reduce both energy use and emissions at the source.
Water Sustainability
ConocoPhillips also is developing improved methods of water purification and recycling. In mid-2007, the company announced plans to establish a global Water Sustainability Center that will examine ways of treating and using by-product water from oil production and refining operations, as well as other projects relating to industrial and municipal water sustainability. The center will be located in Qatar Science & Technology Park at Education City, Doha, Qatar. ConocoPhillips plans to invest $25 million in the center over its first 5–7 years. The center will conduct research on and develop and test technologies relating to water production and management. The center will be designated as ConocoPhillips’ worldwide center for water technologies, disseminating findings to the company’s global operations as well as to local government and industry partners.
Next-Generation Biofuels
In April 2007, ConocoPhillips demonstrated a commitment to diversification of energy sources by establishing an eight-year, $22.5 million research program at Iowa State University dedicated to developing technologies that produce biorenewable fuels.
ConocoPhillips became a founding member of the recently established Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2) in March 2007. The Center is a research venture between large and small businesses and the newly formed Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, the association of four of Colorado’s premier research institutions, the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder), the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), Colorado State University (CSU) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). C2B2 will perform world class research to develop new biofuels and biorefining technologies and transfer these advances as rapidly as possible to the private sector.
Working with partners in the agricultural and food-processing industries, ConocoPhillips is researching the development of renewable transportation fuels from non-food sources. During 2008, ConocoPhillips and Tyson Foods conducted a pilot program using animal fat from a Tyson processing plant as a feedstock to produce renewable ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). In late 2008, the project was suspended due to unfavorable economics. ConocoPhillips will continue to monitor economic conditions to determine whether resuming production becomes feasible.
To learn more about the different technologies utilized in ConocoPhillips' businesses worldwide, select from the links below:
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