Oil and Gas Research Program Grant

The Enhanced Oil Recovery Grant Program is authorized by the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) under the Oil and Gas Research Program (OGRP), as outlined in Section 12 of Senate Bill No. 2014 passed by the 69th Legislative Assembly in 2025. The purpose of this grant initiative is to improve oil recovery methods across North Dakota, with a specific focus on commercially viable approaches that can be applied to the Bakken play and the state's diverse array of conventional reservoirs. The program is designed to support pilot projects and innovative field tests that demonstrate enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques capable of increasing incremental oil production in a practical and scalable manner. The North Dakota Legislature has allocated $25,000,000 to fund this initiative during the 2025–2027 biennium. In addition to this appropriation, other funding mechanisms from the regular Oil and Gas Research Program may be applied to qualifying projects. During this biennium, the program intends to fund six to eight Phase I projects. Projects must demonstrate their ability to increase oil recovery using new or enhanced technologies, including but not limited to CO2, hydrocarbon gases, surfactants, or combinations of injective materials. Sites that highlight diverse geological and well conditions are preferred, particularly those within the Williston Basin. Preference will also be given to projects led by industry oil operators or in partnership with service companies. The submission process follows a tiered grant round system. The first round closes on August 15, 2025, followed by additional deadlines on January 15, 2026, and June 15, 2026. All funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Applications must be submitted digitally in PDF format and must conform to existing OGRP policies as well as the enhanced criteria established for this specific grant. Confidential material may be included as a clearly labeled appendix in the submission, with reference markers in the public-facing response to facilitate evaluation. Confidentiality of submissions is governed by North Dakota Century Code 44-04-18.4. To be considered, applicants must show at least a one-to-one cost share to NDIC-OGRP funding. Cost share contributions may be in-kind. Key evaluation criteria include the use of advanced technology to mobilize additional oil, feasibility of commercial deployment in North Dakota, geographic and geological representativeness, and a clear connection to the evolution of recovery techniques in regional basins. Letters of support from industry partners are permitted and may strengthen the application. Eligible applicants include those engaged in oil recovery research and deployment in North Dakota. The program especially targets collaborations involving private sector oil operators, service companies, and academic or research institutions. Specific eligibility designations are not explicitly listed but can be inferred based on industry-led project emphasis and cost-share requirements. Proposals must be submitted to Brent Brannan, Director of the Oil and Gas Research Program, at brentbrannan@auroraenergyllc.com, or to Jordan Kannianen at jokannianen@nd.gov. The NDIC encourages interested applicants to refer to the RFP for detailed criteria, submission formatting, and timeline adherence. The administrative offices are located at the State Capitol, 14th Floor, 600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 405, Bismarck, ND 58505-0840, and questions may be directed to 701-425-1237.

Confidential materials should be submitted in a labeled appendix and referenced in the main proposal for evaluation. Clearly detail technology methods and cost-share mechanisms.