Hess receives go-ahead for Bakken EOR

US independent has been given approval by North Dakota regulators to proceed with an EOR pilot project that it hopes will help boost recoveries in the Bakken shale play

The North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) has approved an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project proposed by Hess for the Bakken Formation shale play. The US firm hopes that the pilot project will result in improved productivity from a prolific region—estimated to hold 167bn bl of oil in place—where only a small proportion of hydrocarbons is currently being recovered. EOR is well-established in conventional formations, including parts of the Permian Basin where vertical drilling still takes place. However, it is still a relatively new technique in unconventional plays, and Hess’ project marks another step in efforts to apply the process to shale and tight formations. “EOR has yet to find wi