1.   Many synthetic oils are silicon-based polymers.

2.   Peek at rec.autos.misc, where debate covers car comparisons, synthetic oil, speed traps and whether those Chrysler vans really are unsafe.

3.   South Africa produces about a third of its domestic oil needs by making synthetic oil from coal and natural gas.

4.   Synthetic oil or the fuels made from it can be shipped profitably by tanker or pipeline, if the cost of production is low enough.

5.   Synthetic oils flow better under extremely cold conditions offering more protection on startup.

6.   The synthetic oil easily can be converted into diesel fuel, a high-value product that can be sold anywhere in world.

7.   With winter coming on, you may want to consider switching to a synthetic oil for the cold months.

8.   Frankincense was once commonly used in perfumes, but today Western perfume houses prefer synthetic oils, Bakry said.

9.   The U.S. Exxon Corp. is negotiating with the state-owned Qatar General Petroleum Corp. for a possible synthetic oil joint venture, he added.