Oil and Natural Gas Supply
Our nation still has plentiful domestic supplies of oil and natural gas. Yet recovery of these resources is increasingly complex and expensive, and must be accomplished in environmentally responsible ways. NETL's R&D and field demonstration projects are designed to enhance supplies through advanced exploration and production; investigate potential new energy resources such as methane hydrates; and ensure the Nation's aging natural gas infrastructure is able to safely and reliably deliver gas.

Coal and Power Systems
Technologies being developed and demonstrated by NETL and its partners can substantially improve the efficiency and environmental performance of coal power generation systems. This RD&D will enable use of our most abundant energy resource – coal – to meet growing electricity demand and to lay the foundation for a sustainable hydrogen economy. Focus is on providing coal-based technologies that essentially eliminate pollutant emissions, manage carbon emissions, and remain cost competitive.

Carbon Sequestration
NETL manages a portfolio of laboratory and field R&D focused on technologies with great potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and controlling global climate change. Most efforts focus on capturing carbon dioxide from large stationary sources such as power plants, and sequestering it using geologic or terrestrial approaches. Control of fugitive methane emissions is also addressed.

Hydrogen and Clean Fuels
NETL manages a portfolio of R&D to facilitate production of hydrogen from coal fuels for use in fuel cells and other power generation systems. The goal of this R&D is to ensure that hydrogen-from-coal plants will have very low levels of pollutant emissions, be capable of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, and provide affordable products.

Technology Transfer
NETL is widely recognized as a source of scientifically sound information and analytical tools related to fossil fuel technologies. The Laboratory dedicates significant efforts to transferring information and technologies to universities and colleges, to other government entities, and to private-sector companies. By accelerating the advancement and commercialization of beneficial technologies, technology transfer efforts maximize returns to the American people.