The U.S. Department of Energy announced a $65.5 million funding opportunity on July 23, 2026, for technology development and research across the upstream and midstream oil and natural gas sectors. The initiative is separate from a recently introduced $150 million program supporting unconventional reservoir recovery, hydraulic fracturing, and produced-water management. The new funding will be available through public-private partnerships focused on operational improvements and domestic energy infrastructure.
Eligible midstream projects may include the development and field testing of compressors, valves, piping, storage tanks, and advanced materials. Other projects will explore continuous monitoring systems, artificial intelligence-supported digital twins, and optimization tools at full-scale field sites. These technologies are intended to improve operational efficiency and safety while helping operators manage costs and strengthen supply-chain reliability.
The program also supports research into converting gas that might otherwise be left undeveloped or flared into higher-value products that are easier to transport. Projects may advance catalysts, separation methods, and decentralized conversion systems from laboratory testing to deployment in producing basins. For readers evaluating non-operated working interests or revenue associated with producing wells, the funding highlights continued investment in technologies that may improve resource utilization and operating performance. Applications are due September 22, 2026.
Source: Oil & Gas Journal
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