Petroleum science and technology is a collection of fragmented science and engineering works that are scattered within the pages of many volumes. The last truly comprehensive work that appeared was the Handbook of Fuel Science and Technology (J.G. Speight, Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 1990). There is no other work that might be even remotely titled Encyclopedia of Fuel Science and Technology. There is a large volume of work that can be collected under the general title of Fuel Science and Technology. The Encyclopedia would bring this work together with the relevant work on petroleum refining. The text would be organized into at least four volumes and each will contain entries in the form of an alphabetical encyclopedia with the various articles written in a clear concise manner. Where necessary, experts will be invited where necessary to contribute articles but it is anticipated that the majority of the wok will be by the author (JGS). Each article will be thoroughly cross-referenced to related articles and the work will be enhanced with illustrations. The Encyclopedia will include expertly-written articles that are related to: Volume 1 Petroleum, Volume 2 Natural Gas, Volume 3 Coal, and Volume 4 Oil Shale. Each Volume will also contain articles related to the relevant product properties and uses, as well as the various environmental issues. Coverage of the subject matter is anticipated to be full and extensive.However, rather than a conglomeration of general articles, the focus will be on the paths that the fuel science and technology will take during the 21 st Century. The Encyclopedia will provide a handy reference book that will offer valuable information and direction for the industry. In all articles where possible, the various aspects of process chemistry and engineering will be enhanced and expanded to give a comprehensive coverage as possible. The Encyclopedia will be an impressive collection of articles devoted to fuel science, technology, and engineering and will be recognized as the authoritative work for fuel science and technology. It is anticipated that Volume 1 will be submitted during the early summer of 2008 (or at least twelve months after the signing of the contract) for publication in late 2008 and each subsequent Volume will be submitted at six-monthly intervals. If the Encyclopedia is to be an online work, frequent updates will follow at three monthly intervals or at intervals to be determined by the publisher. The topical articles that will appear in the Encyclopedia will be a minimum of 1,700 words with a maximum of 7,500 words. As near as can be achieved without too much repetition, each article will be a stand-alone description of the relevant subject with cross-references to other relevant sections of the Encyclopedia. This format will also evolve as the work is being assembled.