Synthetic

Australian oil and gas developer Linc Energy is a new player in Wyoming’s humming oil and gas patch, bringing a focus on underground “cooking” of coal seams to create synthetic gas (syngas) and natural gas liquids.

The answer to some of the environmental concerns about hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in Pennsylvania is a homegrown synthetic proppant that could be used instead of sand, according to Nittany Extraction Technologies, a company founded by two Pennsylvania State University engineering professors.

Bernard S. “Bernie” Lee, who served as president and CEO of the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) for 21 years until his retirement in 1999, has died, according to the Gas Technology Institute. Lee was responsible for the development of various synthetic fuels programs involving coal, oil shale and liquid hydrocarbons and was a recognized expert on energy, particularly fossil fuel conversion technologies. In the past four years Lee had been promoting the development of massive electricity storage. In addition to serving on IGT’s board of trustees and executive committee, Lee also served on the boards of National Fuel Gas Co., NUI Corp. and Peerless Manufacturing Co.

ExxonMobil Corp. took a sharp strategic turn toward renewable energy research last week, announcing an alliance with Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI) to research and develop next-generation biofuels from photosynthetic algae.

ExxonMobil Corp. took a sharp strategic turn toward renewable energy research on Tuesday, announcing an alliance with Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI) to research and develop next-generation biofuels from photosynthetic algae.

Syntroleum Corp., the developer and owner of a proprietaryprocess for converting natural gas into synthetic crude oil, andSLH Corp., which owns about 31% of Syntroleum, agreed to merge in astock-for-stock deal, which has been approved by the boards of bothcompanies.