On September 27, Dr. Lynn Helms, former Director of North Dakota’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), was honored as the Energy & Environmental Research Center’s (EERC’s) 13th Energy Champion. The award was created in 1986 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary personal commitment to energy and environmental research and development.
Dr. Helms’ remarkable career in energy spans nearly 50 years, during which he played a pivotal role in transforming North Dakota into a global leader in oil and gas production and carbon management. His journey in the oilfield began as a roughneck in 1976, and over the decades, he advanced through various positions, including production engineer, reservoir engineer, and asset team leader, working on energy projects around the world.
Beginning in 1998, he served as Director of the North Dakota Industrial Commission’s (NDIC’s) Oil and Gas Division and later continued as Director of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) when it was formed in 2005. Under his leadership, the state’s daily oil production grew from approximately 100,000 barrels in 1998 to an impressive 1.2 million barrels by the end of 2023. His work also led to record-breaking natural gas capture rates, which surpassed 3.2 billion cubic feet per day.
Helms’ influence extended beyond production. Under his tenure, NDIC expanded its regulatory purview, covering areas such as oilfield gathering systems, gas capture targets, underground gas storage, and rare earth element surveys. His balanced approach to regulatory oversight, combined with his deep understanding of the mineral resources industry, has made him a respected leader both within the state and globally.
A pivotal figure during North Dakota’s Bakken oil boom, Helms’ expertise and leadership were instrumental in advancing technological development in the region, knowledge that has since been shared with energy sectors across the world. His academic accomplishments include earning a doctorate in Petroleum Engineering from the University of North Dakota in 2022, where his dissertation focused on the Bakken petroleum system in the Williston Basin.
Among his many achievements, Helms is credited with initiating the Regrow Act, a key piece of legislation that utilized CARES Act funding to keep oilfield workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic by plugging orphan wells. This act has led to the plugging of over 200,000 orphan wells across the United States.
The EERC’s Energy Champion Award recognizes Helms’ immense contributions to North Dakota’s energy landscape and his lasting impact on the industry.
“Dr. Helms’ professional accomplishments can only be overshadowed by his personal code. Lynn is a great mentor and friend to many.” said John Harju, EERC’s Vice President for Strategic Partnerships. “We are honored to present him with this award.”
The EERC is proud to honor Dr. Lynn Helms, a visionary leader whose work has helped shape North Dakota’s energy future and continues to influence the global oil and gas industry.