Energy Research & Innovation

Our Energy Research & Innovation organization, located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, includes scientists and engineers working in over 200 labs on our 440-acre research campus to develop new technologies focused on advancing our business and solving tomorrow’s energy challenges.

Energy Transition

From Vision to Action

It’s about today and tomorrow. By exploring new avenues of energy generation, storage and access, we balance efficiency and sustainability in order to keep meeting the needs of an ever-changing world.

Renewable Fuels

Sustainable, Efficient Energy for Vehicles

As the transportation energy market evolves, we are exploring, developing and advancing new opportunities in sustainable fuels. This research has included drop-in liquid fuels from solid biomass or solid waste streams, renewable hydrogen and alternative high-octane fuel blend stocks.

Batteries

Portable, Reliable, Long-Lasting Energy

The battery industry continues to grow in leaps and bounds, and our efforts to develop high-performing battery materials from low-value refinery streams are providing more answers for this revolution.

Environmental Stewardship

Helping Ensure a Better Future

We enhance company sustainability by exploring renewable fuels and reducing our environmental footprint in the air and water.

Air

Reducing Emissions for Better Quality

Air quality issues are complex, but understanding the sources, dispersion and reactions of emissions is critical for environmental stewardship. Our Air Research team works to advance the fundamental understanding of atmospheric science and emissions at Phillips 66. The findings lead to better operations and improvements in the air quality in the communities where we work.

Water

Improved Quality for a Critical Resource

Water is an important resource both for our businesses and for the communities where we live and work. The Water Research team works to develop technologies and strategies to ensure water resource sustainability. For example, our microbiology lab uses state-of-the-art technology to study microorganisms and enhance their performance in wastewater treatment plants, improving the quality of water discharged from facilities.

SeRT®

Efficiently and Effectively Limiting Byproducts

Phillips 66 has developed sorbent-based technology as a very cost-effective solution for refineries to meet regulatory limits on the discharge of selenium, a byproduct of the refining process. Our SeRT® technology offers a simple, low-cost process that looks and runs like many other refinery processes and is not workforce intensive. Phillips 66 offers consulting services in selenium separation and licensing of technology for selenium removal.

SERT® TECHNOLOGY

Operating Excellence

Safety and Reliability Overall

We support and improve our existing business by creating and applying advanced analytical capabilities, conducting catalyst characterizations and process modeling.

Metallurgical Analysis

The Metallurgical Analysis team supports operating excellence by evaluating the integrity of process equipment and pipelines used in our Refining and Midstream operations. Using advanced instrumentation and decades of experience, the team determines corrosion and material degradation mechanisms in process units and evaluates complex welding issues. These analyses ensure asset integrity, keeping hydrocarbons safely inside pipelines and process equipment where they belong.

Environmental Forensics

Phillips 66 is committed to operating safely, sustainably and in an environmentally friendly manner. In the likely event that hydrocarbons are detected in the environment, we are committed to responding as quickly, accurately and comprehensively as possible; it’s part of our commitment to care for the environment. Determining the composition, age and potential source of hydrocarbon materials detected helps us respond rapidly and appropriately to any potential situation.

Analytical Forensics

Refineries are complex facilities that operate continuously. These continuous operations are challenging when processing a variety of crude oils and other feedstocks. The Analytical Forensics team leverages a variety of analytical techniques to provide chemical insights related to feedstocks, intermediates and products to address operational problems. When problems occur, the team provides actionable recommendations to ensure a quick return to safe operations and prevent the problem from recurring.

Refining Process Support

Determining catalyst performance can be a challenging problem but is needed to efficiently produce clean transportation fuels. Using internally developed testing techniques, our researchers identify catalysts that optimize the performance of refinery units, such as the fluid catalytic cracker, hydrocracker, hydrotreater or naphtha reformer. Their work ensures that refineries select catalysts that are best suited for optimal operations.

Process Modeling

Phillips 66 puts the knowledge of process experts into the hands of decision-makers at its facilities by deploying engineering models and user-friendly conceptual tools. These models and tools are used to plan, optimize and control complex refinery operations. They give operations staff instant feedback and equip them to run scenarios and optimize refinery processes.

Lubricants

The Lubricants R&D team conducts fundamental research, market-driven product development and product stewardship to meet the latest performance demands in transportation and industrial lubricants. The team completes more than 500 lab and pilot blends and 20,000 performance tests per year in a state-of-the-art, internationally accredited facility. Our technicians and scientists work to ensure Phillips 66 lubricants products exceed the expectations of our customers.