A Bakken Partnership Tests Whether Shale Can Go Further

Chord Energy’s state-supported Bakken pilot to test gas injection as producers seek longer field life

13 Jan 2026

A state-backed initiative in North Dakota is reviving interest in enhanced oil recovery across US shale fields, marking a shift toward extending production from mature assets.

Chord Energy is leading a large-scale pilot in the Bakken formation with financial and regulatory support from the North Dakota Oil and Gas Research Council. The project, which has secured approval and funding, will test gas injection methods to recover oil left behind after primary extraction. Field operations are expected to begin in 2026, according to project documents.

The move comes as US shale producers face higher costs, tighter capital discipline, and growing investor focus on returns. With efficiency gains from faster drilling and improved completions largely achieved, attention is turning to recovery strategies that can sustain output from ageing wells.

The pilot’s structure reflects this new phase of collaboration. Funding comes from a state matching grant through North Dakota’s Oil and Gas Research Program, early-stage support from the US Department of Energy, and research participation from the Energy & Environmental Research Center. Combined, these public and private contributions bring the project’s total budget to nearly $40mn.

Supporters say the effort aims to produce practical, field-based evidence rather than theoretical models. “Operators need real data to know whether enhanced recovery can deliver consistent results in shale’s complex geology,” said one person involved in the project. By sharing financial and technical risks, the partnership enables testing at a scale that would be difficult for a single company to pursue.

State officials view the initiative as a potential model for other US basins. If successful, it could strengthen North Dakota’s role as a centre for oil innovation and help integrate carbon management into long-term field planning. Gas injection technology could also support future use of captured carbon dioxide.

Uncertainty remains over gas supply, cost, and scalability. But the decision to fund and evaluate the project publicly signals growing interest in smarter recovery methods. For US shale producers, the focus is shifting from drilling new wells to extracting more from those already in place.