(A) by inserting ‘‘, accident prevention and 
mitigation,’’ after ‘‘improving safety’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) Deepwater architecture and technology, in-
cluding those for drilling to formations in water 
depths greater than 1,000 feet.’’; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (4) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(4) Complementary research carried out by 
the Department.’’; 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORA-
TORY’’ and inserting ‘‘DEPARTMENT
OF EN-
ERGY’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘National Energy Tech-
nology Laboratory’’ and inserting ‘‘Office of 
Fossil Energy of the Department’’; 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’’ and inserting 
‘‘OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and other agencies as 
appropriate, including those serving on, and col-
laborating with, the Interagency Coordinating 
Committee on Oil Pollution Research as estab-
lished under section 7001 of the Oil Pollution 
Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761(a))’’ after ‘‘Sec-
retary of the Interior’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) PARTNERSHIPS.—In carrying out the program 
under this subtitle, the Secretary shall seek to establish 
partnerships with eligible research performers, as de-
scribed by section 999E, to undertake research and devel-
opment not likely otherwise to be undertaken in the ab-
sence of support from the program.’’. 
(b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—Section 999B of the En-
ergy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16372) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘ULTRA- 
DEEPWATER AND UNCONVENTIONAL ONSHORE 
NATURAL GAS AND OTHER PETROLEUM’’ and 
inserting ‘‘SAFER OIL AND NATURAL GAS DRILL-
ING TECHNOLOGY’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the activities under section 999A to maximize the benefits 
of natural gas and other petroleum resources of the 
United States by advancing the safe and environmentally
responsible exploration, development, and production of 
those resources.’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) 
and (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respec-
tively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) 
the following: 
‘‘(D) select projects on a competitive 
basis;’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)(3)(A)(ii), by striking 
‘‘under subsection (f)(4)’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘ultra- 
deepwater’’ and inserting ‘‘deepwater’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (7) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(7) FOCUS AREAS FOR AWARDS.— 
‘‘(A) DEEPWATER
RESOURCES.—Awards 
from allocations under section 999H(d)(1) shall 
focus on research, development, demonstration, 
and commercial application activities in areas 
that include— 
‘‘(i) technologies and systems aimed 
at improving operational safety and reduc-
ing potential environmental impacts of 
deepwater exploration and production ac-
tivities, including— 
‘‘(I) wellbore integrity, well con-
trol, and blowout prevention; 
‘‘(II) capture and containment of 
oil at or near the wellhead; and 
‘‘(III) expanding operational ca-
pabilities and efficiency of remotely 
operated devices and mechanics; 
‘‘(ii) safe and environmentally respon-
sible deepwater exploration and production 
technologies, integrated systems, and ar-
chitectures for enhancing oil and natural 
gas drilling and recovery, including under 
extreme conditions; 
‘‘(iii) methods and technologies for se-
vere weather and ocean surface condition 
preparedness; 
‘‘(iv) utilization of exploration and 
production methods and materials that re-
duce the potential impact of such activities 
on the environment; and 
‘‘(v) other areas as determined appro-
priate by the Secretary.
‘‘(B) UNCONVENTIONAL
ONSHORE
RE-
SOURCES.—Awards from allocations under sec-
tion 999H(d)(2) shall focus on research, devel-
opment, demonstration, and commercial appli-
cation activities in areas that include— 
‘‘(i) advanced coalbed methane, deep 
drilling, natural gas production from tight 
sands, natural gas production from gas 
shales, stranded gas, innovative exploration 
and production techniques, and enhanced 
recovery techniques; 
‘‘(ii) increased efficiency of energy use 
in exploration and production activities; 
‘‘(iii) utilization of exploration and 
production methods and materials that re-
duce the potential impact of such activities 
on the environment; 
‘‘(iv) recovery, utilization, reduction, 
and improved management of produced 
water from exploration and production ac-
tivities; and 
‘‘(v) accident prevention and mitiga-
tion of unconventional natural gas and 
other petroleum resources exploration and 
production.