PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 517.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 13, 2010
Safer Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Technology Research and Development Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to implement a deepwater (in lieu of ultra-deepwater) technologies research and development program, which shall: (1) address technology challenges for well control and accident prevention; and (2) implement research supportive of such activities through DOE and the Office of Fossil Energy. Revises the petroleum resources research and development program to replace ultra-deepwater activities with deepwater architecture, well control and accident prevention, and deepwater technology. Extends the program to drilling in all waters greater than 1,000 feet (currently, limited to only those waters greater than 15,000 feet).
Directs the Secretary to advance safe and environmentally responsible exploration, development, and production of natural gas and petroleum resources.
Modifies the focus areas for awards to include: (1) specified aspects of deepwater resources; (2) expanded unconventional onshore resources; (3) consortia of small producers; and (4) safety, accident prevention, and mitigation research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Renames the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee as the Program Advisory Committee.
Renames the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Research Fund as the Safer Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Technology Research and Development Fund. Revises the formula for Fund allocations.
People & committees
Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6] · D–TN
Legislative record
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Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 517.
Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5875-5876)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5875-5876)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5716.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5874-5878)
Mr. Gordon (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 317.
Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-554, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-554, Part I.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Referred to House Natural Resources
Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Science and Technology
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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