OPPORTUNITY REPORT:

Improved Oil and Gas Recovery and Produced Water Management Technologies

July 9, 2026

KEY INFORMATION

Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003627

Agency: Department of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office

Total Program Funding: $150,000,000

Cost Share: 20% for Research & Development; 50% for Demonstration Projects

Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 10

Full Application Due: September 8, 2026

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Department of Energy’s Improved Oil and Gas Recovery and Produced Water Management Technologies funding opportunity supports research, development, and demonstration projects that improve recovery efficiency from unconventional oil and natural gas reservoirs while advancing technologies to treat flowback and produced water generated during oil and gas production. Projects must begin at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and conclude at a minimum of TRL 7.

TOPIC AREAS

Topic Area 1a: Field Test Site Research and Development of Technologies for Enhanced Recovery from Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs

Federal Funding: Up to $30,000,000

Estimated Awards: 0–2

Maximum Award: Up to $15,000,000

Eligible Projects Include:

Field-based R&D validating enhanced oil or gas recovery methods using injectants such as surfactants or other fluids/additives (excluding CO₂) during huff-and-puff or similar recovery processes.
Field test sites demonstrating novel techniques to improve production from unconventional oil and natural gas reservoirs.

Topic Area 1b: Advanced Characterization of Fracture Propagation, Proppant Behavior, and Well Diagnostics

Federal Funding: Up to $36,000,000

Estimated Awards: 0–3

Maximum Award: Up to $12,000,000

Eligible Projects Include:

Field investigations focused on fracture propagation, proppant transport and placement, advanced diagnostics, and well completion best practices.
Field deployment and validation of advanced refracturing, conformance control, and well completion technologies designed to improve recovery efficiency.

Topic Area 1c: Enhanced Recovery of Oil and Gas from Unconventional Reservoirs Using Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Federal Funding: Up to $60,000,000

Estimated Awards: 0–3

Maximum Award: Up to $20,000,000

Eligible Projects Include:

Field-based R&D validating enhanced oil or gas recovery methods using injectants such as surfactants or other fluids/additives (excluding CO₂) during huff-and-puff or similar recovery processes.
Field test sites demonstrating novel techniques to improve production from unconventional oil and natural gas reservoirs.

Topic Area 2: Advanced Field-Testing of Multi-Scale Produced Water Treatment Technologies & Processes

Federal Funding: Up to $24,000,000

Estimated Awards: 0–2

Maximum Award: Up to $12,000,000

Eligible Projects Include:

Pilot-scale field testing of produced water treatment technologies capable of treating 15,000–50,000 barrels of water per day for periods exceeding one year.
Development of centralized, multi-stage water treatment facilities with customizable treatment trains that produce multiple levels of treated effluent for beneficial reuse while addressing solids, chemical impurities, and biological contaminants.