Proposals are due February 18, 2000. A solicitation, Support of Advanced Fossil Resource Utilization Research by Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions , is currently available on the Internet at NETL's Electronic Business Center under Solicitations. In this area, researchers examine production of premium fuels and products from coal. This topic focuses on processing or understanding the upgrading of heavy oils to quality transportation fuels in a cost-effective manner. This work will apply to other heavy resources such as shale oil, coal liquids, and tar sands oil at a later time.
Characterization is the most important means of understanding an oil reservoir.
Innovative applications are sought to improve the recovery of oil. Work can take the form of a novel idea or concept to be tested at a preliminary stage, or it can address a small, novel aspect of a larger problem. Because the program is designed to stimulate cooperation between industry and academia, collaboration with private industry is encouraged for the first six topics. In fact, collaboration that promotes a cooperative or interactive effort between the minority institution and a private partner is preferred. Telephone requests will not be accepted.