The utilization of petroleum is managed primarily by heterogeneous catalysis. This technology at least quadruples the usefulness of a given amount of crude oil as compared to thermal processing. It seems clear that a similar increase in the usefulness of other fossil fuels such as coal and oil shale should be possible, In view of the energy shortage which we have all come to realize in the last year or so, the important central role of heterogeneous catalysis seems to be obvious.