The demand for biofuels derived from plants looks set to grow dramatically in the near future, with estimates indicating that biofuels could account for 30 per cent of the world's transport fuels market by 2030. Our main feature article in this issue of Frontiers takes a closer look at BP's existing biofuels business and plans for its expansion, including the introduction of a new advantaged biofuel - biobutanol.

Our first two articles cover subjects which recently won top honours in BP's annual Helios Awards competition. One is Bright Water, a polymer with the potential to significantly improve oil recovery from reservoirs, the other is British Emerald, the first vessel in the next generation of liquefied natural gas carriers in BP Shipping's growing fleet. Two further articles address other areas of technology where BP holds a leading position: in the real-time optimisation of BP's chemical plants; and in the monitoring of deepwater risers in the company's oil and gas fields, in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.

Taken together, these widely diverse topics serve to reinforce BP's reputation for achieving and maintaining technology leadership across its range of business activities.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Frontiers.

Terry Knott
Managing Editor, Frontiers

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Frontiers issue 20 opening section (pdf, 736KB)