Developing Technologies to Advance the Understanding of State of Stress and Geomechanical Impacts Within the Subsurface | DE FOA 0001826

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main goal of this DOE/NETL funding opportunity?

The opportunity supports practical, research-driven technologies that improve (1) how the in-situ maximum principal stress is characterized at depth and (2) how scientists and engineers predict rock and fault responses when fluids are injected into the subsurface, especially when injection-driven pressure changes migrate vertically and alter stress across a broader storage complex.

Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?

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

What are the two primary technical problems the FOA is trying to address?

The FOA focuses on two closely related challenges: accurately measuring the in-situ maximum principal stress at depth, and predicting how injection-driven pressure changes can migrate vertically and modify stress conditions across the storage formation and adjacent layers (including the underburden and basement formations).

What does the FOA mean by "maximum principal stress" and why is it important?

In the context provided, the maximum principal stress refers to the largest in-situ stress acting in the deep subsurface. It matters because stress conditions influence how rocks deform, how faults may respond, and how subsurface operations perform and remain safe when fluids are injected.

What kinds of solutions are encouraged for improving maximum principal stress measurement?

The FOA seeks improved tools and methods that reduce uncertainty relative to existing approaches. Examples described include improved instrumentation, field methods, analysis workflows, or integrated approaches that make stress characterization more reliable and defensible for engineering decisions.

Is the FOA only looking for more data collection in the subsurface?

No. The emphasis is not simply on collecting more data. The FOA prioritizes reducing ambiguity in stress estimates and quantifying uncertainty in a way that supports decision-making, making stress measurements more defensible and reliable.

Why does the FOA emphasize uncertainty reduction in stress estimates?

Because stress estimates can vary widely depending on the measurement technique, assumptions about rock properties, and data quality. The FOA aims to reduce that variability and improve confidence in geomechanical assessments that affect safe and effective subsurface operations.

What is meant by "vertical pressure migration" in this funding opportunity?

Vertical pressure migration refers to injection-driven pressure changes moving upward or downward through the subsurface, not just spreading laterally near the injection zone. The FOA highlights that pressure may travel through stratigraphic pathways, discontinuities, or transmissive features, potentially changing stress conditions across multiple layers.

Which parts of the subsurface system are included when considering vertical stress changes?

The FOA explicitly includes the storage formation as well as adjacent layers such as the overburden/underburden and even basement formations. The intent is to understand stress perturbations across the broader storage complex, not only the target interval.

What kinds of impacts is DOE concerned about from injection-driven pressure and stress changes?

The FOA describes concerns that stress perturbations can extend beyond the target interval and potentially influence seal integrity, fault stability, deformation, or induced seismicity risk, depending on local geology and operational conditions.

What kinds of approaches are encouraged for predicting geomechanical impacts of pressure migration?

The FOA indicates interest in methods that improve prediction and understanding of geomechanical impacts, including modeling approaches, monitoring strategies, or coupled workflows that connect pressure evolution to stress changes and mechanical response.

Does the FOA require that measurement and prediction be addressed together?

The FOA targets both improved stress measurement and improved prediction of injection-driven stress changes. The description frames these as tightly related problems and emphasizes that addressing both helps reduce uncertainty in geomechanical assessments. The specific balance for a given project is not detailed in the summary provided.

What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

The FOA uses a cooperative agreement structure. That means DOE/NETL typically expects substantial involvement during the project period rather than a fully hands-off award.

What does "substantial involvement" mean in a cooperative agreement context?

Based on the description provided, it means DOE/NETL is likely to be actively involved during the project period (for example, through technical engagement and project oversight) rather than acting solely as a passive funder. Specific interaction mechanisms are not detailed in the provided text.

Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The summary describes it as a discretionary funding opportunity.

What is the FOA number and CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is identified as DE-FOA-0001826 under CFDA 81.089.

How is the opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under energy, science and technology, and other research and development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicants could apply. The description provides examples such as universities, national labs, private companies, nonprofits, or other organizations, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement.

When was the FOA created and when did it close?

The FOA was created on February 26, 2018, with an original closing date of May 7, 2018.

How many awards did DOE anticipate making?

DOE anticipated making around eight awards.

What was the maximum funding amount per project?

The award ceiling was $2,000,000 per project.

What does the expected number of awards suggest about DOE's strategy?

Supporting around eight awards (with a $2,000,000 ceiling) suggests DOE intended to support multiple parallel technical approaches rather than relying on a single solution, enabling innovation and comparison across different settings or scenarios.

What kinds of subsurface operations could benefit from the outcomes of this FOA?

The FOA is framed around deep subsurface activities where stress and pressure interactions control safety and performance, especially operations involving fluid injection into the subsurface and the resulting stress and fault responses.

What are the key questions this FOA is trying to help answer?

The FOA is implicitly aimed at improving confidence in answering two core questions: (1) "What is the maximum principal stress at depth, and how sure are we?" and (2) "How will injection-driven pressure changes migrate and mechanically affect the broader storage system over time?"

What outcomes is DOE driving toward with this funding opportunity?

The described outcomes include better measurement confidence, improved predictive capability, and reduced geomechanical uncertainty for deep subsurface operations impacted by stress and pressure interactions.