The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for cost-shared research and development projects that will ultimately enhance the potential for deepwater enhanced oil recovery (EOR) of conventional resources. DE-FOA-0002005, Advanced Operations and Sensing Technologies to Improve Efficiency and Capabilities for EOR in Deepwater Offshore Wells, will support DOE’s offshore oil and gas portfolio.

The objective of the FOA is to advance promising low technology readiness level (TRL) offshore operations and sensing technologies such as, but not limited to, those that DOE/FE previously initiated with industry under its Ultra-Deepwater Offshore Program. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the potential projects, which will aim to increase efficiency of operations and reduce cost and complexity.

It is anticipated that projects will be executed in two phases. Phase 1 will entail laboratory validation and prototype development. Phase 2 will consist of field testing of an integrated full-scale prototype. Evidence of industry support and/or cost share will be required prior to Phase 2 to ensure the achievement of enhanced commercialization potential. Technologies previously developed to low TRLs, as referenced above, are encouraged to apply.

The FOA is anticipated to be issued in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Prospective applicants to the FOA should begin developing partnerships, formulating ideas, and gathering data in anticipation of its issuance approximately one month from the date of this posting. No applications will be accepted through the NOI, and all the information it contains is subject to change.

Read the full NOI here . 

The Office of Fossil Energy funds research and development projects to reduce the risk and cost of advanced fossil energy technologies and further the sustainable use of the Nation’s fossil resources. To learn more about the programs within the Office of Fossil Energy, visit the Office of Fossil Energy website or sign up for FE news announcements. More information about the National Energy Technology Laboratory is available on the NETL website.