Neugebauer Announces Funding For UTPB Geothermal Research

Washington, DC—Congressman Randy Neugebauer announced Tuesday that the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) will receive $194,373 in federal funds to conduct geothermal energy research on depleted deep gas wells.

Neugebauer worked to secure this funding as part of the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that Congress passed in November and President George W. Bush signed into law on December 8.

“Geothermal energy research is showing great promise, and I commend UTPB for leading the way in this field,” Neugebauer said. “Given our growing depending on foreign energy sources, it is essential that we take advantage of our domestic renewable resources.”

UTPB’s Center for Energy and Economic Diversification will use these funds to locate optimal geologic and geographic sites for converting depleted deep gas wells and fields into geothermal energy wells capable of generating renewable electric power.

Because the Permian Basin is one of the leading oil and gas producing regions in the country, it is an ideal location for geothermal energy research. Should the research yield successful results, it would reduce the need for fossil fuels for electric power production and provide access to a continuous renewable resource.

To conduct its research, UTPB will create technical databases from oil and gas industry data that document subsurface geological conditions existing under the Earth’s surface. A detailed evaluation of this information will determine the location of target reserves and abandoned wells suitable for conversion. The university’s researchers will also study how much it will cost to sustain this alternative method to generate electricity.

Those interested in further details on this research initiative can contact UTPB’s Dr. Richard Erdlac by phone at 432-552-2442 or through email at erdlac_r@utpb.edu.