42 USC § 16296 - Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s16296"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 16296 - Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "16296"
section_name: "Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program"
chapter_number: 149
chapter_name: "NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS"
subchapter_number: "IX"
subchapter_name: "RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT"
part_number: "F"
part_name: "Fossil Energy"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 966, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 893.)"
---


# § 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 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 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 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 may award a grant to an organization of States 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) does not have GIS capabilities, the organization shall contract with an institution of higher education with GIS capabilities.

**(3)** **State geologists** The organization receiving a grant under paragraph (1) shall collaborate with the State geologist of each State being studied.

**(f)** **Public information** The Secretary may use the data collected and analyzed under this section to produce maps and literature to disseminate to States to promote conservation of natural gas reserves.

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