42 U.S.C. § 13415 — Midcontinent Energy Research Center

(a) Finding. Congress finds that petroleum resources in the midcontinent region of the United States are very large, but are being abandoned too soon. This section does not define the terms “Congress,” “petroleum resources,” or “midcontinent region.”

(b) Purposes. This section aims to—(1) improve the efficiency of petroleum recovery; (2) increase the amount of petroleum ultimately recovered; and (3) delay the abandonment of resources. This section does not define the terms “petroleum recovery” or “resources.”

(c) Establishment. The Secretary^* may establish the Midcontinent Energy Research Center, called the “Center” in this section, to—(1) conduct research in petroleum geology and engineering focused on improving recovery of petroleum from existing fields and established plays in the upper midcontinent region of the United States; and (2) ensure that the results of that research are transferred to users. This section does not define the terms “Secretary,” “petroleum geology,” “engineering,” “existing fields,” “established plays,” “upper midcontinent region,” or “users.”

(d) Research. (1) In general. When conducting research under this section, the Center must, as far as practicable, cooperate with agencies of the Federal Government, the States in the midcontinent region of the United States, and the affected industry. This section does not define the terms “Federal Government,” “States,” or “affected industry.”

(2) Programs. The Center’s research programs may include—(A) developing databases and transferring technology; (B) managing reservoirs; (C) describing and assessing reservoirs; (D) advanced recovery methods; and (E) developing new technology. This section does not define the terms “databases,” “technology,” “reservoirs,” or “advanced recovery methods.”