BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) has approved a $3 million Oil and Gas Research Program grant for a project aimed at revitalizing North Dakota’s conventional oil fields. Total project costs will exceed $6 million, with private industry providing the additional funding.
“Millions of barrels of oil remain locked away within the State’s conventional oil fields. Those fields, many of which were established decades ago, are prime candidates for enhanced oil recovery with newly available technology including underground injection of carbon dioxide,” the Industrial Commission said in a joint statement. “This project could be an opportunity for our coal-fired power plants and other CO2 providers in North Dakota and beyond.”
Eagle Energy Partners is committed to providing at least $3 million to co-fund the project. The Minot-based company is partnering with the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) in Grand Forks, a high-tech, nonprofit branch of the University of North Dakota known for moving applied research into the commercial marketplace.
“Eagle is excited to partner with the EERC and NDIC to apply emerging technology that will enable us to fully unlock North Dakota’s bountiful natural resources,” Eagle Energy Partners President Bob Mau said.
The project will target oil wells in existing oilfields where water has been injected into the wells to increase pressure and stimulate oil production, a process known as waterflooding. Eagle Energy Partners will develop best practices for transitioning these waterflooded wells to allow for enhanced oil recovery through carbon dioxide injection, creating a pathway for revitalizing the numerous legacy fields in the Tyler and Madison formations.
The North Dakota Legislature established the Oil and Gas Research Program in 2003 to promote environmentally sound exploration and production methods and technologies, and to support research and educational activities related to the oil and gas industry. The program is funded from the State’s share of the oil and gas gross production tax and oil extraction tax revenues. The proposed scope of work directly aligns with the program’s mission.
The NDIC consists of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The Commission oversees the Oil and Gas Research Program.
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For further information contact Brent Brannan at 701-425-1237 or John Harju, EERC, at 701-777-5157.
Karlene K. Fine, Executive Director and Secretary
State Capitol, 14th Floor - 600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 405 - Bismarck, ND 58505-0840
E-Mail: kfine@nd.gov
Phone: (701) 328-3722 FAX: (701) 328-2820
"Your Gateway to North Dakota”: www.nd.gov