NOVELTY - A process for the conversion of biomass pyrolysis oil into precursors for hydrocarbon transportation fuels involves contacting the biomass pyrolysis oil with water and carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure to convert the oil into liquid transportation fuel precursors.    USE - For the conversion of biomass pyrolysis oil into precursors for hydrocarbon transportation fuels; for the conversion of a lignocellulosic biomass material into precursors for liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The process does not rely upon gasification, and uses cheap, readily available materials in the conversion. The fuels precursor resulting from the reaction have lower molecular weight and lower oxygen content than most biomass products and a higher hydrogen content derived from the water. This is a result of the unique conversion properties of the superheated/CO water system when applied to biological materials. Process derived salts of acids and acids derived from the biomass have the advantage that at steady state they are potentially cost free. For example, calcium and sodium salts of acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid and the like are made during the treatment and may be concentrated or accumulated in a water recycle stream to the treatment zone.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for process (p2) for the conversion of a lignocellulosic biomass material into precursors for liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels involving pyrolyzing biomass at 300 to 500 degrees C in a reducing atmosphere to form a biomass pyrolysis oil, contacting the biomass pyrolysis oil with water and carbon monoxide at elevated temperature of 280 to 350 degrees C, an elevated total system pressure of 12 to 30 MPa and a carbon monoxide (CO) partial pressure from 5 to 10 MPa and a weight ratio of water:biomass oil from 0.5:1 to 5:1, to dissolve the biomass oil into the reaction mixture and depolymerize, deoxygenate and hydrogenate the oil and form a reaction product comprising liquid transportation fuel precursors.