>>I wonder of the oil could be extracted and
>>allow the algae to live.
Perhaps a genetically engineered algae that produces oil as a waste product?
What does algae do with the lipids? I assume they’re using them as stored energy? Maybe they just need to be convinced they don’t need to store it?
I honestly don’t know. Stored energy is a good guess. I do know that they only produce oil in quantities when stressed.
They need to be engineered to produce it when thriving, like as a waste product as you suggest. I haven’t kept up in the last few months but I know they’ve made serious advances along that line.