Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $100,000 in federal funding for TAMIU to lead critical clean energy research. These federal dollars are from the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM). This funding is part of the Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets Initiative, aimed at helping communities like ours repurpose energy infrastructure and transition to clean energy solutions.

“This project stands to generate jobs in clean energy development, contribute to energy security, and help meet environmental goals while also strengthening Texas’s position as a leader in energy innovation,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The research conducted here could be a model for other regions in the country facing similar challenges with retired energy assets. I would like to thank TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz, Provost and Vice President Dr. Claudia San Miguel, Dr. Khaled Enab, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering in the School of Engineering, and Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino for their leadership in securing these federal dollars.”

“We greatly appreciate the guidance and partnership provided by Cong. Cuellar and his staff in successfully securing this grant. As a researcher myself I have often said that the most important research is research that actually makes a difference.  The grant being directed by TAMIU’s Dr. Khaled Enab is visionary and will help us create a future that benefits communities as an economic engine for energy transition.  I’m especially proud that the research and study opportunities it provides our students will continue to advance the dynamic growth of our Petroleum Engineering program and our School of Engineering,” said Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

This initiative will span the 2024-2025 academic year, running from August through May. During which time TAMIU will lead critical research on repurposing decommissioned oil and gas assets for geothermal energy production and CO2 storage.

With this funding, TAMIU will conduct groundbreaking research to build technical capacity and train a workforce equipped to revitalize these energy systems. TAMIU will focus on repurposing inactive oil and gas wells in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, which have been historically crucial to Texas’s economy. The research will aim to assess the potential of these wells for geothermal energy production and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The research will involve close collaboration with local oil and gas operators to gather essential data from public records about inactive wells. This partnership ensures that both the academic and industrial sectors work together for mutual benefit.

Once the data is collected, the research team will analyze it to determine which wells are viable candidates for either geothermal or CO2 storage. They will develop advanced reservoir models to evaluate the feasibility and capacity of these wells for repurposing, advancing both clean energy and environmental remediation efforts.

This project will also play a vital role in fostering academic and professional development for students at TAMIU, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM. As part of this initiative, students will be directly involved in conducting research, analyzing data, and developing solutions. Not only will this prepare them for future jobs in the energy sector, but it will also broaden their experience in real-world energy challenges and innovation.               

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