Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program with respect to abandoned wells, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act 2. Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended— (1) in subtitle F of title IX ( 42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq. 969E. Abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program (a) Establishment Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (1) data collection on the location of abandoned wells; (2) the plugging, remediation, reclamation, and repurposing of abandoned wells; and (3) strategies to mitigate potential environmental impacts of documented and undocumented abandoned wells. (b) Activities The research, development, and demonstration under subsection (a) shall include activities to improve— (1) remote sensor capabilities, LiDAR capabilities, optical gas imaging, magnetic survey technology, and any other technologies relevant to the efficient identification of abandoned wells; (2) understanding of how certain parameters of abandoned wells affect methane emission rates of such wells, including paramaters such as well age, well depth, geology, construction, case material, and geographic region; (3) the efficiency and cost-efficacy of processes for plugging, remediating, reclaiming, and repurposing abandoned wells, including— (A) improvement of processes and technologies for the unique challenges associated with plugging remote abandoned wells; (B) use of low carbon, lightweight cement or use of alternative materials and additives for plugging purposes; and (C) repurposing of abandoned wells for alternative uses, including geothermal power production or carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and (4) understanding of the impacts of abandoned wells on groundwater quality and contamination. (c) Coordination In carrying out the program established in (a), the Secretary shall ensure coordination of these activities with institutions of higher education, the Department of Energy National Laboratories, and the private sector. (d) Abandoned well defined In this section, the term abandoned well (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated for purposes of this section— (1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; (2) $31,250,000 for fiscal year 2023; (3) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2024; (4) $33,750,000 for fiscal year 2025; and (5) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. ; and (2) in section 1(b) ( 42 U.S.C. 15801 Sec. 969E. Abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program. . October 7, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program with respect to (1) data collection on the location of abandoned oil or gas wells; (2) the plugging, remediation, reclamation, and repurposing of the wells; and (3) mitigating potential environmental impacts of documented and undocumented abandoned wells.