DOE's NETL’s Resource Sustainability Research Programs, comprised of a world-class team of high-performing leaders, scientists and engineers, house the necessary expertise to support R&D projects that further the DOE Office of Resource Sustainability goals to improve the characterization, production, transportation, and utilization of our Nation’s abundant oil and natural gas resources. Research being conducted by these programs focuses on supporting technology innovation and resource development in conjunction with the energy industry.
The objectives of the NETL’s Resource Sustainability Programs are to:
Program objectives are advanced by supporting fundamental science concepts, identifying the key research questions that present challenges to industry stakeholders, and identifying enabling technologies to meet these challenges. A critical component to successful R&D supported by NETL is leveraging industry and academic partners to provide validation for concepts and technologies related to these challenges. Addressing these questions and advancing the development of novel tools, technologies, and concepts are the primary drivers of these program research initiatives.
NETL’s research seeks to expand beyond the current state of scientific standards and industry best practices with focuses ranging from fundamental laboratory work through prototype development and field validation.
NETL partners with industry, academia, technology developers, government agencies, and other national laboratories to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of research projects throughout its portfolio. NETL works closely with key stakeholders to collect insight on issues where advances in technology may prove valuable, processes this information, and uses it to make informed R&D decisions and assist industry stakeholders in overcoming challenges related to each of its research programs, including:
Developing and validating technologies to economically produce rare earth oxides and critical materials from carbon ore, coal-based resources, and other unconventional feedstocks to develop a range of carbon-based and critical mineral products, spanning the entire value spectrum from high-volume through high-value, for applications outside of traditional thermal and metallurgical markets. This program includes efforts in the areas of Critical Minerals and Materials and Carbon Ore Processing.
Research and validate new technologies, tools, and processes to ensure the environmentally prudent development and remediation of existing oil and natural gas resources. This program includes efforts in the areas of Environmentally Prudent Stewardship, Gas Hydrates, and Water Management Technologies.
Develop new technologies for better quantification and mitigation of methane emissions from each portion of the natural gas value chain. This program includes efforts in the areas of Methane Mitigation, Methane Quantification, Undocumented Orphaned Wells, and Natural Gas Conversion.
Accelerate the energy transition through supporting technology development and characterization for hydrogen production, transport, and subsurface storage.
Robie Lewis
S&T Deputy Director for Resource Sustainability
