Is Chevron Looking at Synthetic Fuels? It’s Hard To Tell

I’m taking a short break from working the “Doty Windfuels” booth, here at the 239th meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego.  I’ve had some truly wonderful conversations — some productive, some — shall I say — enigmatic? 

I ran into a guy from Chevron a few minutes ago whose job is evaluating the characteristics of biofuels, with an eye towards blending them with his company’s petrochemical products.  I asked him about synthetic fuels.  He looked blank, so I tried to help. “I have to think that somewhere between here and (Chevron headquarters) San Ramon (CA), there must be someone at Chevron looking at synthetic fuel.”

“Are you looking for support?” he asked.  “Well,” I replied, “I believe that somewhere along the line, a strategic partnership with a large process manufacturing company, perhaps an oil company, would absolutely be indicated.”

“That’s a very long, hard road,” he smiled, extending his hand to say goodbye.