The mission of the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) is to unleash the full potential of America’s hydrocarbon and geothermal resources to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy.
Through applied innovation and U.S. energy leadership, HGEO develops and advances breakthrough technologies that lower costs and power American prosperity, freedom, and human flourishing. The office focuses on early-stage research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) to drive progress across the hydrocarbon and geothermal energy sectors.
Priority areas of focus include:
- Accelerating the deployment of new technologies to ensure U.S. energy abundance and strengthen national energy dominance.
- Advancing domestic energy production and reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- Ensuring coal remains a reliable, secure, and competitive energy source through continuous innovation and strategic deployment.
- Strengthening the resilience, reliability, and performance of U.S. oil and natural gas systems.
- Positioning geothermal as a competitive domestic source for reliable baseload electricity generation.
- Maintaining critical infrastructure, including the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to secure the nation’s energy supply.
- Providing oversight of liquefied natural gas (LNG) regulatory matters to ensure U.S. leadership in the global LNG market.
By leveraging America’s hydrocarbon and geothermal resources, HGEO works to enhance reliable baseload power, strengthen grid reliability, and improve long-term energy security for communities nationwide. These activities are pursued in partnership with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), DOE’s only government-owned, government-operated National Laboratory focused on advancing the nation’s energy future.
Alignment with Administration Priorities
HGEO’s objectives are aligned with Secretary Wright’s nine strategic initiatives as outlined in the Secretarial Order, “Unleashing the Golden Era of American Energy Dominance.” This includes advancing energy addition, unleashing American energy innovation, strengthening grid reliability and security, returning to regular order on LNG exports, and promoting affordability and choice for consumers. Together, these efforts advance the Trump Administration’s goals to strengthen American energy dominance, expand domestic energy production, modernize critical infrastructure, and ensure the United States remains the world’s most reliable energy supplier.