---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17195"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17195"
heading: "Geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields and recovery and production of geopressured gas resources"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17195"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter V — Accelerated Research and Development"
  - "Part B — Geothermal Energy"
---

# §17195. Geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields and recovery and production of geopressured gas resources

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall establish a [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to support development of [geothermal](/usc/42/17191.md?p=6) energy production from oil and gas fields and production and recovery of energy, including electricity, from [geopressured resources](/usc/42/17191.md?p=5). In addition, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall conduct such supporting activities including research, resource characterization, and technology development as necessary.
- (b) **Geothermal energy production from oil and gas fields—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall implement a grant [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) in support of [geothermal](/usc/42/17191.md?p=6) energy production from oil and gas fields. The [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) shall include grants for a total of not less than three demonstration [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) of the use of [geothermal](/usc/42/17191.md?p=6) techniques such as advanced organic rankine cycle systems at marginal, unproductive, and productive oil and gas wells. The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall, to the extent practicable and in the public interest, make awards that—
  - (1) include not less than five oil or gas well sites per [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) award;
  - (2) use a range of oil or gas well hot water source temperatures from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 300 degrees Fahrenheit;
  - (3) cover a range of sizes up to one megawatt;
  - (4) are located at a range of sites;
  - (5) can be replicated at a wide range of sites;
  - (6) facilitate identification of optimum techniques among competing alternatives;
  - (7) include business commercialization plans that have the potential for production of equipment at high volumes and operation and support at a large number of sites; and
  - (8) satisfy other criteria that the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) determines are necessary to carry out the [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) and collect necessary data and information.

  The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall give preference to assessments that address multiple elements contained in paragraphs [(1)](#b-1) through [(8)](#b-8).

- (c) **Grant awards—** Each grant award for demonstration of [geothermal](/usc/42/17191.md?p=6) technology such as advanced organic rankine cycle systems at oil and gas wells made by the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) under [subsection (b)](#b) shall include—
  - (1) necessary and appropriate site engineering study;
  - (2) detailed economic assessment of site specific conditions;
  - (3) appropriate feasibility studies to determine whether the demonstration can be replicated;
  - (4) design or adaptation of existing technology for site specific circumstances or conditions;
  - (5) installation of equipment, service, and support;
  - (6) operation for a minimum of 1 year and monitoring for the duration of the demonstration; and
  - (7) validation of technical and economic assumptions and documentation of lessons learned.
- (d) **Geopressured gas resource recovery and production—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall implement a [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) to support the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of cost-effective techniques to produce energy from [geopressured resources](/usc/42/17191.md?p=5).
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall solicit preliminary engineering designs for [geopressured resources](/usc/42/17191.md?p=5) production and recovery facilities.
  - (3) Based upon a review of the preliminary designs, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall award grants, which may be cost-shared, to support the detailed development and completion of engineering, architectural and technical plans needed to support [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) of new designs.
  - (4) Based upon a review of the final design plans above, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall award cost-shared development and [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) grants for demonstration geopressured production facilities that show potential for economic recovery of the heat, kinetic energy and gas resources from [geopressured resources](/usc/42/17191.md?p=5).
- (e) **Competitive grant selection—** Not less than 90 days after December 19, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants under the [programs](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) outlined in subsections [(b)](#b) and [(d)](#d). Grant recipients shall be selected on a competitive basis based on criteria in the respective subsection.
- (f) **Well drilling—** No funds may be used under this section for the purpose of drilling new wells.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 616, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1681.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.