Key Takeaways
- North Dakota researchers see hydraulic fracturing (fracking) as a promising way to unlock geothermal energy for the state’s power grid.
- While geothermal already supplies heat for compressor stations and residential heat pumps, large‑scale power generation remains unproven in the state.
- The main uncertainties involve the cost‑effectiveness of emerging enhanced‑geothermal technologies in North Dakota’s tight rock formations.
- Fracking could increase permeability, allowing water to circulate and absorb heat, but further testing is needed to confirm feasibility.
- Policy actions recommended include refining regulations, characterizing rock samples, drilling exploratory wells, and launching a pilot project under realistic operating conditions.
- Re‑using existing unproductive oil wells offers little financial advantage for geothermal development.
Introduction to the Geothermal Opportunity in North Dakota
North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) recently presented a report to the state Industrial Commission highlighting the potential of geothermal energy to contribute to the electricity grid. Assistant Vice President Tyler Hamman emphasized that, although the concept is promising, substantial work remains to verify the feasibility of power‑generation‑scale projects. The discussion comes amid growing interest in diversifying the state’s energy mix beyond fossil fuels, leveraging existing expertise from the oil and gas sector to explore a renewable alternative that could provide baseload power with low emissions.
Current Geothermal Applications in the State
Geothermal technology is already in limited use across North Dakota. Hamman noted that the heat extracted from underground formations powers compressor stations along the Northern Border natural gas pipeline and supplies residential heat‑pump systems. These applications demonstrate that the subsurface contains accessible thermal energy, yet they represent only a fraction of what could be achieved if the resource were scaled up for electricity production. Approximately 90 % of commercial geothermal power in the United States is generated in California and Nevada, underscoring the untapped potential in the Northern Plains.
Technical Unknowns and Cost‑Effectiveness Concerns
A central uncertainty identified in the EERC report is whether new geothermal technologies under development will be economically viable in North Dakota’s specific geological setting. Hamman explained that while the underground temperatures in western parts of the state may be sufficient for heat extraction, the “tightness” of the rock formations could impede the flow of water needed to transport that heat to the surface. Without adequate permeability, the system would fail to deliver usable energy, regardless of how hot the rock is. Therefore, proving that enhanced‑geothermal systems can operate cost‑effectively in these conditions remains a critical research gap.
Fracking as a Potential Solution
To address the permeability challenge, researchers propose borrowing techniques from the state’s well‑established oil and gas industry: hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. By creating fractures in the tight rock, fracking could increase the pathways for injected water to circulate, absorb heat, and return to the surface as hot fluid or steam. Hamman likened the current state of enhanced‑geothermal development to the early days of the shale revolution, when technological advances and cost reductions turned previously uneconomical resources into viable energy sources. Advances in drilling, materials, and monitoring gained from decades of fracking experience could similarly lower the cost curve for geothermal projects.
Leveraging Oil and Gas Workforce and Expertise
Beyond the technical aspect, the existing workforce, supply chain, and regulatory knowledge associated with North Dakota’s oil and gas sector represent valuable assets for geothermal development. Engineers, geologists, and drilling crews already skilled in high‑pressure well operations could transition to geothermal wells with relatively modest retraining. This cross‑industry transfer could accelerate project timelines, reduce mobilization costs, and improve safety outcomes by applying lessons learned from decades of hydrocarbon extraction.
Policy Recommendations to Foster Development
Hamman outlined several policy actions aimed at de‑risking geothermal investment. First, refining the regulatory framework specific to geothermal energy would provide clearer permitting pathways and environmental safeguards. Second, conducting detailed studies of rock samples stored in the state’s core library would help characterize thermal conductivity, porosity, and other key properties. Third, drilling exploratory wells to obtain deeper‑rock samples would deliver essential data on temperature gradients and formation mechanics at depths relevant for power generation. Collectively, these steps would build a robust scientific foundation for future commercial projects.
The Need for a Realistic Pilot Project
Ultimately, Hamman stressed that a pilot project operating under realistic conditions is indispensable for gathering empirical data on both costs and efficiency. Such a demonstration would test the integrated system—from drilling and fracturing to heat extraction, surface conversion, and reinjection—allowing stakeholders to validate models, identify operational challenges, and refine economic projections. Only after successful pilot results could investors and policymakers confidently consider scaling geothermal to a meaningful share of North Dakota’s electricity supply.
Re‑using Existing Oil Wells: Limited Financial Benefit
The study also evaluated the prospect of repurposing unproductive oil wells as geothermal wells. Hamman concluded that, by the time a well is re‑entered, deepened to reach a viable geothermal heat source, and equipped with the necessary surface infrastructure, the cost savings relative to drilling a new purpose‑built geothermal well are minimal. Consequently, while re‑use may offer some logistical advantages in specific cases, it is not expected to be a major driver of economic viability for large‑scale geothermal power generation in the state.
Outlook and Next Steps
In summary, North Dakota stands at a juncture where its abundant subsurface heat, combined with the state’s fracking expertise, could unlock a new renewable energy frontier. However, turning this potential into reliable, grid‑scale power hinges on resolving technical uncertainties, confirming cost‑effectiveness, and establishing supportive policies. Targeted research, exploratory drilling, and a well‑designed pilot project will be essential to answer the lingering questions and determine whether geothermal can become a practical component of the state’s energy future. As Attorney General Drew Wrigley remarked during the Industrial Commission presentation, the extent of the resource is “actually surprising,” suggesting that, with the right investments and innovations, North Dakota may indeed harness its hidden heat to power homes and industries for decades to come.