The U.S. Department of Energy commissioned the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop a long-term research plan for commercializing lipid fuels and coproducts, thereby displacing petroleum and establishing a new biobased industry. This article summarizes the findings of a more detailed report: Biomass Oil Analysis: Research Needs and Recommendations, NREL/TP-510-34796. This paper provides a summary of the needs and challenges involved in displacing petroleum with lipid fuels. It identifies research agendas that could support a larger lipid fuel industry and provides guidance for researchers and funding organizations. This analysis found that modest production cost reductions and significant increases in lipid production could be achieved, but only if there are government incentives to promote the use of the high cost lipid fuels. Without the incentives, lipid fuel use will remain modest and there will be little need for research to increase supply. Research that reduces production costs is not sufficient to bring the cost of lipids in line with petroleum fuel. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.