BP and D1 Oils Form Joint Venture to Develop Jatropha Biodiesel Feedstock
29 June 2007
BP and D1 Oils plc are forming a 50/50 joint venture, to be called D1-BP Fuel Crops Limited, to accelerate the planting of Jatropha curcas—a drought-resistant, inedible oilseed bearing tree which does not compete with food crops for good agricultural land or adversely impact the rainforest—in order to make more sustainable biodiesel feedstock available on a larger scale.
Under the terms of the agreement, BP and D1 Oils intend to invest around $160 million over the next five years. D1 Oils will contribute into the joint venture their 172,000 hectares of existing plantations in India, Southern Africa and South East Asia and the joint venture will have exclusive access to the elite jatropha seedlings produced through D1 Oils’ plant science program.
As jatropha can be grown on land of lesser agricultural value with lower irrigation requirements than many plants, it is an excellent biodiesel feedstock. D1 Oils’ progress in identifying the most productive varieties of jatropha means that the joint venture will have access to seeds which can substantially increase jatropha oil production per hectare.
—Phil New, head of BP Biofuels
The joint venture will focus on jatropha cultivation in South East Asia, Southern Africa, Central and South America and India. The partners estimate that some one million hectares will be planted over the next four years, with an estimated 300,000 hectares per year thereafter. Investments will be made through directly managed plantations on owned or leased land, which will also provide employment for local communities, and through contract farming and seed purchase agreements.
Jatropha oil produced from the plantations will be used to meet both local biodiesel requirements and for export to markets such as Europe, where domestic feedstock produced from rapeseed and waste oil is unlikely to be sufficient to meet anticipated regulatory led demand for biodiesel of around 11 million tonnes a year from 2010.
Once all the planned plantations are established, the joint venture is expected to become the world’s largest commercial producer of jatropha feedstock, producing up to 2 million tonnes of jatropha oil a year, according to New.
D1 Oils plc is a UK-based global producer of biodiesel. Its operations cover agronomy, refining and trading and includes pioneering the science, planting and production of inedible vegetable oils. D1 Oils also design, build, own, operate and market biodiesel refineries and source, transport and trade seeds and seedlings, seedcake, crude vegetable oils and biodiesel. (Earlier post.)
Earlier this week, BP announced that it was partnering with DuPont and ABF to build a $400M bioethanol and biobutanol plant in the UK. (Earlier post.)
Somewhat reluctantly I must admit that BP has taken clear leadership positions on biofuels and should be commended for that. This feedstock will play an important role in converting to biodiesel fuel for the next generation of downsized diesel engines.
Posted by: gr | 29 June 2007 at 06:09 PM
Morning Mr New,
You cannot grow Jatropha Curcas in South Africa - Swaziland, its too high and too cold.
India always massage their yeild per hectare figures for Jatropha Curcas.
Where are the plantations in South East Asia?
Let me know.
Dr Richard J Harley, GLG Senior Adviser Biofuels World Wide
Posted by: Dr Richard J harley | 29 June 2007 at 09:35 PM
IF INDIA ALWAYS MASSAGE THEIR YIELD FIGURE FOR JETROPHA WHAT ACCORDING TO DR RICHARD ARE THE YIELD PER HECTARE FOR JETROPHA ? IS JETROPHA FARMING FEASIBLE ON MARGINAL LANDS DR RICHARD? PLEASE ANSWER
Posted by: NIRMALSINH WALA | 29 June 2007 at 10:02 PM
IF INDIA ALWAYS MASSAGE THEIR YIELD FIGURE FOR JETROPHA WHAT ACCORDING TO DR RICHARD ARE THE YIELD PER HECTARE FOR JETROPHA ? IS JETROPHA FARMING FEASIBLE ON MARGINAL LANDS DR RICHARD? PLEASE ANSWER
Posted by: NIRMALSINH WALA | 29 June 2007 at 10:12 PM
Texas Texas Texas-- that is what has not been even considered in the jetropha debates i run into. It's got the climate hands down- lots of marginal, and i mean lots, land, cheap with abundent ag infastructure in place already. To boot you've got the oil refinery infrastructure as well and people who know the whole oil business. And right next door is mexico with even more abundent land for jetropha. Anybody interested in starting a concern in Texas in jetropha look me up. Money- well you know in Texas it's floating all over and i've got connections.
Bob Nelson Green Team International
561-929-8545
Posted by: bob nelson | 01 July 2007 at 07:43 AM
How about southern arizona. I'd like to have a supply line for making diesel fuel
Posted by: john | 02 July 2007 at 08:05 PM
can jatropha be planted in Nigeria? i am presently making a bio-fuels study on the subject of fuel ethanol and its reality here in my country.
thanks.
John Odey
Abuja, Nigeria.
Posted by: JOHN UPAN ODEY | 03 July 2007 at 08:50 AM
definitely here in the phil;ippines. thats what im trying to get, a gov policy that would open a million hectare for jatropha
Posted by: JJ Lizarondo | 01 August 2007 at 12:00 AM
Gentlemen,
Make sure Filipinos be not exploited as those of other projects imposed before.
Let people in the 3rd world countries enjoy a sustainable living...
Loi
+630918-3065-164
Posted by: Loi Buganas | 26 August 2007 at 08:28 PM
Dr Harley states "You cannot grow Jatropha Curcas in South Africa - Swaziland, its too high and too cold."
I think you are confusing altitude with soil quality.
Most of Southern Africa is on a high plateau but certainly not too cold. Swaziland has mountains and serious soil issues but is a small percentage of total area D1 and others are looking at.
Posted by: | 02 January 2008 at 10:17 AM
we wanted to plant jathropa can you help me where we could sell it?
Posted by: liezel | 06 February 2008 at 02:45 AM
I have land in South Texas, Im hoping to find 5 - 10 seeds to start my own seed stock for a 20 acre plot I am purchasing. Does anyone know where I can obtain or purchase just 5-10 seeds of Jatropha curcas? Texas is ideal for this plant.
Thanks,
Clint
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Posted by: biodiex | 07 July 2008 at 09:55 AM
Last week (8-21-2008) I planted a row of Jatropha seedlings in a small test-plot on my farm in Runnels County. I am trying to determine the viability of this plant for my region. I want to have answers for the following questions.
#1. Am I located too far north (freeze-kill).
#2. Can Jatropha tolerate well-water in my region, having an alkaline (pH) content.
#3. What insects will be attracted (if any) to the Jatropha?
#4. Will rabbits be attracted to Jatropha and destroy the small seedlings, or is the Jatropha an undesirable plant to rabbits?
Prior to planting the Jatropha, I made 5 deep trenches into the soil to break-up the hard-pan and kaliche. I added rotting coastal bermuda hay and haygrazer (sudan grass) into the trenches as I back-filled topsoil back into the trench in order to help break-up the clay. I'll later post a video on YouTube showing my test-plot with some comments. You can access my YouTube videos by typing in my moniker, TUUTUUTANGO.
VENDORS AND MARKETERS, PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME. I am simply posting this info to share with other people in Texas who are interested in this plant. I do not wish to be contacted and asked if I want to buy ANYTHING.
Posted by: Roy in Runnels County, TX | 30 August 2008 at 07:54 AM
Roy,
I'm really curious if you've made any progress on your plantings. Any update? I'm looking at land in your area or lower down towards San Antonio and would really appreciate any insight you might have. Mark.
Posted by: Mark | 08 December 2008 at 11:11 AM
Am a genetics and biotechnology studentof university of calabar, Nigeria.I really want to know if camelina can be planted in Nigeria,i actually would love to make reseach on its propagation in Nigeria.Thanks.
Posted by: Emmanuel Paul | 25 August 2010 at 10:12 AM