Intelligent Monitoring Systems and Advanced Well Integrity and Mitigation | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?

The opportunity is titled "Intelligent Monitoring Systems and Advanced Well Integrity and Mitigation" and the Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0001240.

2. Which agency issued this funding opportunity?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), issued the funding opportunity.

3. What is the main purpose of this FOA?

The FOA is intended to fund applied research and development that strengthens carbon capture and storage (CCS), with a strong emphasis on carbon dioxide (CO2) geologic storage operations. The goal is to help operators inject and store CO2 more safely and efficiently, improve real-time decision support, and enhance the ability to detect and address well integrity problems that could create leakage risks.

4. What technical areas does the FOA focus on?

The FOA is organized around two main technical objectives: (1) Intelligent Monitoring Systems (IMS) for CCS and CO2 injection, and (2) advanced well integrity diagnostics and mitigation to detect, characterize, and remediate wellbore leakage risks, especially for existing wells.

5. What is meant by "Intelligent Monitoring Systems (IMS)" in this FOA?

In this FOA, IMS refers to integrated monitoring and control approaches tailored to CCS and CO2 injection operations. The emphasis is on systems that not only collect data, but also support coordinated monitoring, controlling, and optimizing of injection operations, helping operators track injection performance and reservoir response and adjust decisions as conditions change.

6. What outcomes is NETL looking for from IMS projects?

NETL is seeking IMS improvements that reduce uncertainty and risk during carbon storage operations by identifying potential issues earlier and providing mitigation options in real time, rather than relying on delayed analysis after problems develop. The FOA also highlights more effective use of subsurface pore space through better coordinated injection monitoring and optimization.

7. What does the FOA mean by "real-time decision support"?

Based on the FOA description, real-time decision support refers to capabilities that help operators make operational decisions as injection and reservoir conditions change, using integrated monitoring and control rather than waiting for after-the-fact interpretation.

8. What is the second technical objective about?

The second objective focuses on well integrity, including improving diagnostic tools and methods to characterize leakage pathways or fluid flow through existing wells, and developing next-generation materials and mitigation techniques to address wellbore leakage.

9. Why is well integrity a key focus for CO2 geologic storage?

The FOA notes that wells can represent a common risk area for geologic storage projects. Legacy wells, imperfect cement, degraded casing, and complicated wellbore geometries can create potential routes for CO2 or brine migration, increasing leakage risk.

10. What kinds of well integrity advances is NETL seeking?

NETL is looking for advances that (a) detect and understand the nature and location of leakage or vulnerability and (b) provide improved methods and materials to remediate those problems. The emphasis is on diagnostics and fixes that are robust and practical for real-world conditions.

11. Does the FOA emphasize solutions for new wells or existing wells?

The FOA explicitly emphasizes existing wells, suggesting interest in solutions that can be deployed where wells may be old, partially documented, or otherwise challenging.

12. What type of funding instrument is used?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument.

13. What does a cooperative agreement imply for awardees?

A cooperative agreement implies substantial technical involvement or collaboration with the federal project team during execution, rather than a fully hands-off grant structure.

14. What is the program or activity category for this FOA?

The opportunity falls under the category of Energy, Science and Technology, and other R&D activities.

15. What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The FOA is tied to CFDA 81.089, Fossil Energy Research and Development, consistent with NETL's CCS portfolio.

16. How many awards were expected to be made?

The FOA anticipated making about nine awards.

17. What was the estimated total federal funding amount?

The estimated total federal funding across all selected projects was $11,000,000.

18. Is cost sharing required?

Yes. The listing indicates a cost sharing requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.

19. Why does DOE/NETL require cost share for applied R&D?

As described, cost share is typical for DOE applied R&D programs and is intended to ensure industry or partner commitment and help accelerate commercialization or field readiness.

20. Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of entities could apply, including private companies, universities, national laboratories, state and local governments, non-profits, and other organizations, subject to the eligibility clarifications in Section III of the FOA.

21. When was the opportunity posted?

The FOA was posted on March 25, 2015.

22. What were the application due dates?

The original and final closing date was May 25, 2015.

23. When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was August 25, 2015.

24. Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity is archived, and the closing date passed on May 25, 2015.

25. What does the archived FOA still tell stakeholders today?

Even though it is archived, the FOA provides a snapshot of NETL priorities at the time, especially around integrated, intelligent monitoring for CO2 storage operations and practical tools and remedies to prevent or mitigate wellbore leakage.

26. Where could applicants access the full announcement and related materials?

The full announcement and related materials were accessible via FedConnect.

27. Who was the listed point of contact at NETL?

The FOA listed Bethan K. Young, Contract Specialist, as the NETL point of contact.

28. What are the contact details provided for the point of contact?

Phone: 412-386-4402. Email: bethan.young@netl.doe.gov.

29. What should someone do if they had trouble retrieving the announcement electronically?

The FOA indicates that applicants or stakeholders with issues accessing the announcement electronically could use the NETL point of contact provided in the FOA.

30. What is the overall operational impact NETL is trying to achieve through this FOA?

Across both objectives, the FOA aims to improve the safety and efficiency of CO2 injection and storage operations, strengthen monitoring and operational control, reduce uncertainty through earlier issue detection, and improve the ability to diagnose and mitigate wellbore leakage risks.