§16533 Hydrocarbon systems science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education

Summary

The government must create a program to grow and improve college-level education in hydrocarbon systems science so more students graduate ready to work in natural gas and oil exploration, development, and production. “Hydrocarbon systems science” means science work tied to natural gas or petroleum. It covers fields like petroleum and reservoir engineering; environmental geoscience; petrophysics; geophysics; geochemistry; petroleum geology; ocean and environmental engineering; computer science when it supports these fields; and spill response and cleanup. The program will give grants. Up to 3 grants each year go to schools that start new degree programs. Those grants can run up to 5 years and can be up to $1,000,000 per year. Priority is given to plans that partner with National Laboratories. Grants will be judged on the ability to attract students, academic quality, and hands-on learning, and may be used to hire faculty, create courses, support research collaboration, and recruit students. Up to 5 grants each year go to schools with existing programs. Those can also last up to 5 years and be up to $500,000 per year. They fund ways to increase and improve graduates entering oil and gas careers, teach advanced technology, work with industry and labs, maintain facilities, and give tuition help or stipends. Authorized funding for new program grants is $3,500,000 (FY2008), $6,500,000 (FY2009), $9,500,000 (FY2010), $9,800,000 (FY2011), $10,000,000 (FY2012), and $10,400,000 (FY2013). Authorized funding for existing program grants is $3,000,000 (FY2008), $5,500,000 (FY2009), and $8,000,000 (FY2010).