Biofuels are rapidly rising up the global agenda, as countries seek alternative forms of energy and greater security of supply. In this issue of Frontiers we take a look at the rationale driving BP's recent launch of the pioneering Energy Biosciences Institute, established to investigate ways of bringing modern advances in biology to bear on global energy matters. We dig into the facts and figures behind today's biofuels industry, and look at BP's quest to find alternative sources of biomass which could allow future large scale manufacture of biofuels.

Two other new topics for Frontiers are wind energy, where we report on BP Alternative Energy's entry into this growing market sector, and coal bed methane production in the USA - an example of BP's leading edge know-how in securing gas from unconventional sources.

We also revisit seismic technology, a leadership area for BP. The company has developed new methods of seismic surveying and data processing which are enabling hydrocarbons to be discovered and developed in regions where salt deposits have until now obscured the reservoirs below.

Managing these and other activities in major projects around the globe requires high calibre project managers. We report on the successes of BP's Projects Academy, set up four years ago to equip managers for the challenges they face.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Frontiers.

Terry Knott
Managing Editor, Frontiers

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