We present an overview of critical facets of development of the fuel, Orimulsion(R), emphasizing description of procedures and scale-up strategies rather than technical details. The seemingly unrelated events that led to the worldwide marketing of this new alternative fuel are placed into historical perspective. We showcase R&D, characterized by teamwork, to exploit unique natural resources at a time of changing economic conditions. The paper is a collection of related pieces of research and commercial approaches, all of which were aimed at exploiting the vast amount of hydrocarbon resources present in the Venezuelan Orinoco Belt. The many instances in which adjustments had to be made because of scale-up setbacks illustrate valuable lessons learned in the development of a new technology.