DOE to award $39M for oil, gas development technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will award $39 million in federal funding for research and development projects that seek to improve oil and natural gas technologies.

U.S. natural gas production hit a new record high in 2018, increasing 11 percent for the year, while crude oil production grew 17 percent in 2018. That’s also a record, surpassing the previous high set in 1970, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The United States is now the world’s leader in both oil and natural gas production.

“The phenomenal growth in U.S. oil and gas development—both conventional and unconventional—is changing the energy landscape in America and around the world,” Steven Winberg, assistant secretary for fossil energy at the DOE, said.  “Developing advanced technologies to improve oil and natural gas recovery can expand the potential for developing our vast resources.”

One of the funding opportunities is the Advanced Subsea Systems Technologies to Improve Efficiency and Capabilities for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in Offshore Wells. The DOE will provide up to $15 million for projects that enhance the potential for EOR of conventional resources in offshore settings.

Another is called the Advanced Natural Gas Infrastructure Technology Development. The DOE will provide up to $24 million for projects that support the development of tools, methods and/or technologies to cost-effectively enhance the safety and efficiency of the nation’s natural gas production, gathering, transmission, and storage infrastructure.

“Maximizing our domestic resources is key to maintaining American energy independence and ensuring both our energy and national security,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said. “The United States is projected to become a net energy exporter by 2022, and by improving technologies that enhance the efficiency of producing and recovering oil and natural gas, we can be sure to achieve that title.”

Concept papers are due in approximately three weeks after the release of the funding opportunity announcement while the full application will be due in approximately 60 days. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the projects.