CarbonSAFE Initiative Making Progress Toward Commercialization
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) NETL-led Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Initiative has funded 24 and is currently negotiating 20 additional projects around the country to address key gaps on the critical path toward commercial carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment.
Data From 17,000 Wells Tells a New Tale on Bakken’s Oil-Boosting Frac Hits
North Dakota’s EERC argues that the suboptimal frac jobs of yesterday explain why fracture interactions boost production in the tight-oil play. Well-to-well interactions in North Dakota’s Bakken Shale stand out in one big way from those in most other unconventional plays. Whereas frac hits generally hurt production in older parent wells elsewhere, they often improve it in Bakken.
OSK Debuts Initial Hyperspectral Insights from GHOSt Constellation
Orbital Sidekick (OSK) unveiled the first set of insights from its GHOSt™ (Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite) constellation. GHOSt 1, 2 and 3 launched aboard the Transporter 7 and 8 ride-share missions earlier this year and incorporate the most advanced hyperspectral commercial satellites in orbit with a ground sampling distance of eight meters.
Stantec selected to design new Materials Exploration and Advanced Materials Processing Facility for the University of North Dakota
Stantec, in partnership with ICON Architectural Group, has been selected to provide integrated design services for the new 28,000-square-foot Materials Exploration and Advanced Materials Processing Facility (MatEx) as part of the University of North Dakota (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC).
DOE Awards $1.5 Million to UND to Advance Hydrogen Technology
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, announced the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a total of $1,500,000 to the University of North Dakota (UND) Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC).
Marathon’s Dickinson renewable fuels plant receives grant for potential CCUS project
The US DOE has awarded funding to support works that would advance implementation of a possible carbon capture, utilization, and storage project at Marathon Petroleum’s renewable fuels production plant in Dickinson, ND.
Insights and Intuition
EERC’s Director of Employee Development and Engagement speaks on importance of leadership skills in order to develop other leaders and to press into new innovations that provide clean energy to all demographics.
DOE awards MicroSeismic over $1 million to support CO2 sequestration
“The permanently installed shallow BuriedArray system proposed by MSI seems to have potential to achieve a robust 24/7 monitoring system to support CCS project development (through geologic storage), with the ability to accurately detect induced seismicity, monitor cap rock/storage reservoir integrity and potentially track the CO2 plume front via 3D/4D seismic recording,” says Charles Gorecki.
Hoeven helps secure more than $38 million award to support implementation of CCUS at Coal Creek Station
Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded more than $38 million to the University of North Dakota’s (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC).
Burgum discusses Grand Forks projects funded in legislative session; total is more than $100 million
Over the biennium, the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks, the state energy research center, will get $7.5 million for energy research and $1.5 million for rare earth mineral studies.
Security concerns to drive North Dakota tech mineral boom
With some of the highest concentrations of rare earth and critical mineral elements in the U.S., [North Dakota] is in prime position to supply tech minerals crucial to building everything from electric vehicles to semiconductors to jets.
Recycling Renewables: Giving New Life to Wind, Solar Energy Parts
Josh Strege, the EERC’s Assistant Director of Energy Systems, has been leading research into this area, and said these blades are made up of a lot of different materials. “Our focus,” he said, “has largely been on, ‘Is there a way we can separate material A from material B?”
What We Know ChatGPT Can Do for the Petroleum Industry, So Far
Researchers with the Energy & Environmental Research Center highlight the key use cases ChatGPT holds today for petrotechnicals. ChatGPT, a technology created by OpenAI, is a noteworthy illustration of the revolutionary capabilities of such technologies in the oil and gas domain.
CEQ Announces Members of Task Forces to Inform Responsible Development and Deployment of CCUS
The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced members of two new task forces that will provide input to inform the responsible development of CCUS. EERC’s Kevin Connors accepted as member of task force.
North Dakota Wants to Lead the Nation in Rare Earth Production
But first, researchers need to figure out a good, consistent way to extract the minerals used in electronic devices and develop a supply chain that supports the operation. That’s going to take time and money.
North Dakota’s Future Is in Coal, but Not for the Usual Reason
John Kay is an engineer at the EERC. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Kay and his team are evaluating the potential of a viable domestic supply of the rare earth elements and critical minerals found in western North Dakota.
EERC is ‘cracking the code’ on energy research
Known mostly by its initials — EERC — the research hub sits on the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and has been making waves in the energy sector for decades.
EERC’s Director for EHS named NDSC’s 2022 Outstanding Safety Professional
The North Dakota Safety Council (NDSC) names their 2022 Duane Kuehn Outstanding Safety Professional. Christin Fine is this year’s winner. The award was presented during the closing session of the 50th Annual Safety and Health Conference.
Hoeven Announces $1.4 Million Award to EERC for New CCUS Monitoring Project at Great Plains Synfuels Plant
Senator John Hoeven announced that he has secured a $1.4 million award to the EERC for a new carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) monitoring project at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant that is key to the commercially-viable implementation of CCUS technology.
Carbon Capture – Winter Ag and Construction Expo 2023
EERC’s Director of Advanced Energy Systems Initiatives, Jason Laumb, and Tom Oakland with the North Dakota Department of Commerce discuss how carbon capture will affect North Dakota agriculture. Moderated by Mick Kjar of the Ag Central Radio Network.
Produced Water Recycling Approach Attracts International Attention
NETL-funded research on an approach to recycle hydraulic fracturing water using natural filtration and biogenic activity in specific layers of rock is attracting international attention with a “highly commended” recognition in a global competition sponsored by an acclaimed engineering organization.
Newly announced Energy and Economic Coordination Office to streamline and generate economic advancements within the state’s energy industry
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced the creation of the North Dakota Energy and Economic Coordination Office (EECO). The EECO will serve as a unified avenue for industry experts to effectively coordinate with North Dakota energy entities to advance the state’s energy strategy by supporting North Dakota’s full energy portfolio.
EERC team runner-up for 2022 iChemE Global Awards
National Energy Technology Laboratory, Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC), North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and Gas Research Program (NDIC OGRP) and Nuverra Environmental Solutions are runner-up in Oil and Gas Division for USA – Produced Water Management Through GHCR project.
CMG Expands Focus to Deliver Integrated Energy Transition Solutions
Computer Modeling Group Ltd. (CMG) is a global leader in simulation technology for the energy industry. “CMG’s software gives us the confidence to predict reservoir behavior and adjust those predictions based on reservoir surveillance techniques for managing large-scale and long time-horizon carbon storage projects,” says Charles Gorecki.
EERC studying salt caverns for storage of hydrogen, liquid natural gas and other products
North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center is researching the idea of creating “salt caverns” for storing products such as natural gas and hydrogen which should be much less expensive than having miles and miles of above-ground storage tanks.
Salt cavern study receives more funding from state
An energy study to determine whether salt caverns could be used in North Dakota to store gas and liquids is getting more state money. The money is going to the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center, which is conducting the study.
Ethanol Plant CCS: Sequestration Sensors
With CCS Expanding rapidly, there is an accompanying need for technology to monitor the CO2 underground. A North Dakota ethanol producer, environmental researcher, and a geophysicist explain how it’s done.
AVP of Strategic Partnerships Talks Energy with Former Bismarck Mayor
Brian Kalk recently spoke to Mike Seminary, former Bismarck Mayor/KLJ engineer, on Mike’s new podcast. They spoke about all things energy in North Dakota, including the wonderful work the EERC has been doing to develop new technologies and practical solutions to critical energy challenges. Follow the link to listen to the podcast.
North Dakota Industrial Commission approves $15M for energy projects
The new grants include $10 million for engineering and design work on the “Liberty H2 Hub” project, an effort led by the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center to develop large-scale facilities for low-carbon hydrogen development.
Higher Ed committee approves UND’s $86.5M fundraising request for College of Engineering renovations
UND also petitioned the committee for an increase in the authorization limit for lease revenue bonds. The bonds are used to finance improvements for the electrical distribution network at UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center, as well as construction of a new advanced materials processing center.