RICHLAND, WA (KTRK) -- Your poop is about to get a lot more useful.Scientists at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating the possibility of turning human waste into a petroleum-like biofuel.By heating and pressurizing human waste -- a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction -- scientists are able to break waste products down into smaller, simpler compounds that are then converted into a biocrude compound that can be refined just like conventional petroleum.The process is similar to what already occurs in nature (albeit with different materials), but instead of taking millions of years, it takes a matter of minutes.In a single year, the United States alone produces enough waste to create 30 million barrels of oil, scientists say.The technology will be put to use at a demonstration plant in British Columbia, Canada.