Nine research projects aimed at increasing U.S. supplies of natural gas and
other petroleum resources have been selected for funding by the Research
Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA). The projects, which were
selected under the 2008 Unconventional Resources Program, reportedly will help
meet U.S. energy demand, while also lowering consumer
costs.
RPSEA states that the Unconventional Resources Program is designed to bring the
resources of America’s leading universities, research institutions and
technology innovations to bear on the development of gas shales, tight-gas
sands and coal-bed methane resources. The main drivers in this development
include reducing costs, increasing efficiency, improving safety and minimizing
environmental impacts.
While awards under the RPSEA Unconventional Resources Pro-gram are open to any
U.S.-based organization, most projects involve a team consisting of researchers
along with producers or service companies that are in a position to evaluate
and apply new technologies. Each proposal must provide a minimum of 20-percent
cost share, with up to 50 percent for field-demonstration
projects.
Some of the selected projects include Barnett and Appalachian Shale Water
Management and Reuse Technologies, Novel Gas Isotope Interpretation Tools to
Optimize Gas Shale Production, The Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems
Program, Pretreatment and Water Management for Frac Water Reuse and Salt
Production, and Sustaining Fracture Area and Conductivity of Gas Shale
Reservoirs for Enhancing Long-Term Production and Recovery.