§16296 Low-volume Oil and Gas Reservoir Research Program

Summary

Create a federal program to research, test, and bring into use methods that increase production from small or low-volume oil and gas wells and reservoirs. GIS means geographic information systems technology that helps organize and manage data tied to places. The program will gather data on four things: where marginal wells and reservoirs are and their condition, how much they can produce, where low-pressure gathering lines and pipelines are, and how much natural gas is vented or flared with oil. It will also estimate remaining producible reserves under different pipeline pressures and recommend ways to keep producing them. The Secretary may give a grant to a group of States with many marginal wells to do an annual study of low-volume gas reservoirs. If that group lacks GIS skills, it must hire a college with GIS. The group must work with each State’s geologist. The Secretary can use the collected information to make maps and materials to share with States to help conserve gas.