---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16296"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16296"
heading: "Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16296"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter IX — Research and Development"
  - "Part F — Fossil Energy"
---

# §16296. Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program

- (a) **Definition of GIS—** In this section, the term “GIS” means geographic information systems technology that facilitates the organization and management of data with a geographic component.
- (b) **Program—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to maximize the productive capacity of marginal wells and reservoirs.
- (c) **Data collection—** Under the program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall collect data on—
  - (1) the status and location of marginal wells and oil and gas reservoirs;
  - (2) the production capacity of marginal wells and oil and gas reservoirs;
  - (3) the location of low-pressure gathering facilities and pipelines; and
  - (4) the quantity of natural gas vented or flared in association with crude oil production.
- (d) **Analysis—** Under the program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall—
  - (1) estimate the remaining producible reserves based on variable pipeline pressures; and
  - (2) recommend measures that will enable the continued production of those resources.
- (e) **Study—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may award a grant to an organization of [States](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) that contain significant numbers of marginal oil and natural gas wells to conduct an annual study of low-volume natural gas reservoirs.
  - (2) **Organization with no GIS capabilities—** If an organization receiving a grant under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) does not have GIS capabilities, the organization shall contract with an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16182.md?p=6) with GIS capabilities.
  - (3) **State geologists—** The organization receiving a grant under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) shall collaborate with the [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) geologist of each [State](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) being studied.
- (f) **Public information—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may use the data collected and analyzed under this section to produce maps and literature to disseminate to [States](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) to promote conservation of natural gas reserves.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 966, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 893.)