[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51021-51022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20788]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other 
Petroleum Resources, Research and Development Program 2012 Annual Plan

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of report availability.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy announces the availability of the 
2012 Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas 
and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program on the 
DOE Web site at www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/ultra_and_unconventional/2012_annual_plan.pdf or in print form (see ``Contact'' 
below).
    The 2012 Annual Plan is in compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 
2005, Subtitle J, Section 999B(e)(3) which requires the publication of 
this plan and all written comments in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elena Melchert, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Mail Stop FE-30, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585 or phone: (202) 586-5600 
or email to UltraDeepwater@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary [Excerpted From the 2012 Annual Plan p. iv]

    This 2012 Annual Plan is the sixth research plan for the Ultra-
Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources 
Research Program since the launch of the program in 2007.
    This plan continues the important shift in priorities towards 
safety and environmental sustainability that was initiated in the last 
plan, and is consistent with the President's Office of Management and 
Budget directive for research that has significant potential public 
benefits.
    Onshore, research on Unconventional Resources will focus on 
protecting groundwater and air quality, understanding rock and fluid 
interactions, and integrated environmental protection, including water 
treatment technologies and water management. For Small Producers, the 
Program will focus on extending the life of mature fields in an 
environmentally sustainable way.
    Offshore, research on Ultra-Deepwater will focus on improved 
understanding of systems risk, reducing risk through the acquisition of 
real-time information

[[Page 51022]]

throughout the various systems, and reducing risk through the 
development of advanced technologies.
    The research activities will be administered by the Research 
Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA), which operates under 
the guidance of the Secretary of Energy. RPSEA is a consortium which 
includes representatives from industry, academia, and research 
institutions. The expertise of RPSEA's members in all areas of the 
exploration and production value chain ensure that the Department of 
Energy's research program leverages relevant emerging technologies and 
processes, and that project results will have a direct impact on 
practices in the field.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 16, 2012.
Christopher A. Smith,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Office of 
Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-20788 Filed 8-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P