Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4877) 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, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4877

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act''. SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005.

(a) In General.--The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended--

(1) by adding at the end of subtitle F of title IX (42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) the following new section: ``SEC. 969E. ABANDONED WELLS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall, in coordination with relevant Federal and state agencies and entities, establish a research, development, and demonstration program to improve--

``(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 under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure coordination of these activities with State and local governments, institutions of higher education, the Department of Energy National Laboratories, the private sector, and impacted communities, including landowners within such communities.

``(d) Abandoned Well Defined.--In this section, the term `abandoned well' means a well originally drilled in connection with oil and gas operations that is not being used, has not been plugged, and has no anticipated use in oil and gas operations.

``(e) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section amounts authorized pursuant to section 10771 of subtitle O of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117-167), as follows:

``(1) For fiscal year 2024, $30,000,000.

``(2) For fiscal year 2025, $31,250,000.

``(3) For fiscal year 2026, $32,500,000.

``(4) For fiscal year 2027, $33,750,000.

``(5) For fiscal year 2028, $35,000,000.

``(f) Sunset.--This section shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this section.''; and

(2) in the table of contents in section 1(b) (42 U.S.C. 15801 note), by inserting after the matter relating to section 969D the following new item: ``Sec. 969E. Abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program.''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (6) of section 10771 of subtitle O of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117-167) is amended--

(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``2026'' and inserting ``2028'';

(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$600,000,000'' and inserting ``$507,500,000'';

(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;

(4) in subparagraph (C)--

(A) by striking ``$1,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$930,000,000''; and

(B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and

(5) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

``(D) $162,500,000 to carry out abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration activities under section 969E of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, in accordance with such section.''.

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Mr. LUCAS. 4877.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4877, the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act.

This bill was introduced by two of my Science Committee colleagues, the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Lee) and the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

The bill directs the Department of Energy to support research, development, and demonstration activities that accelerate the remediation of abandoned or orphaned oil and gas wells across the country.

Currently, there are an estimated 700,000 to maybe 3 million abandoned wells in the United States. These wells cost between $30,000 to potentially as much as $1 million per well to plug, meaning a remarkable amount of money will be needed just to cover past developments.

Wells in remote locations, like Tribal land in Oklahoma, are more difficult and costly to locate and plug, thus increasing the likelihood they will remain unmitigated.

Improving the technologies and methods associated with plugging and remediation processes for abandoned wells would lower the overall cost, improve efficiency, reduce the environmental harm, and potentially result in new and improved purposes.

Mr. Speaker, that is why I support H.R. 4877. This bill will capitalize on the Department of Energy's existing research and infrastructure within the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to improve the processes and lower the costs associated with abandoned wells.

The research, development, and demonstration activities conducted by DOE have the potential to validate innovative processes, such as the use of low-carbon cement for plugging or repurposing abandoned wells for geothermal power production and carbon capture utilization and storage.

Additionally, this bill directs DOE to improve technology to pinpoint and map the location of abandoned wells. Before we can plug or repurpose a well, we need to know exactly where they are located.

Efforts for States to plug abandoned wells are already underway and funded by Federal investment. This bill ensures that those efforts efficiently use taxpayer dollars and remain effective in the long term.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Lee and Representative Bice for leading this bill.

Mr. Speaker, we all share concern about the tens of thousands of known abandoned oil and gas wells across the country that have the potential to leak methane, pose health and safety risks, and pollute local ground water. This is a major step in addressing that.

I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4877. I thank Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Bice for their effort, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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