ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics Scale up Algae Research

Following nearly 10 years of research, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics are scaling up their joint research into using algae as a biofuel.

The companies believe that 10,000 bbl/d of algae biofuel could be produced by 2025, based on the research conducted to date along with emerging technical capability.

This new phase of research includes an outdoor field study that will grow naturally occurring algae in several contained ponds in California, USA and, the companies said, enable them to better understand fundamental engineering parameters, including viscosity and flow, which cannot be easily replicated in a laboratory. More work will be required to advance larger-scale production.

“The new outdoor phase is a critical next step in determining a path toward large-scale, commercial production,” said Vijay Swarup, vice president for research and development at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, who added that the work with Synthetic Genomics continued to be an important part of its broader research into lower-emission technologies to combat climate change.

Last June, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics announced a research breakthrough. Using advanced cell engineering technologies, the researchers had managed to modify an algae strain and more than double the algae’s oil content from 20% to more than 40%, without significantly inhibiting growth, a factor that has been a key challenge to date. Previous attempts to increase the volume of algae oil production have adversely led to slower growth.

Oil produced from algae can potentially be processed in conventional refineries. It is also said to hold promise as a potential feedstock for chemical manufacturing.