Bakken 2.0 - Crack the code | Ron Ness | TEDxFargo

Ron Ness will provide an overview of North Dakota’s energy potential and technological future, particularly focusing on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and natural gas infrastructure. There is immense opportunity in the Bakken region, estimating 3 to 7 billion barrels of additional oil recoverable through advanced EOR methods, with another 1 billion barrels possible from conventional oil fields. However, produced gas alone cannot meet future EOR demands, emphasizing the importance of utilizing CO₂ from North Dakota’s industrial sources to achieve the full recovery potential. There are planned EOR projects scheduled in North Dakota, such as multi-well and multi-zone pilots in Williams and Dunn Counties, as well as surfactant-based EOR tests. These efforts reflect a transition toward a zero-emission, technology-driven Bakken, featuring advancements like four-mile laterals, U-turn drilling, and improved wellsite efficiency and gas capture systems. Pipeline infrastructure will be covered, highlighting the WBI Energy Bakken East Project, a 455-mile natural gas pipeline designed to expand regional capacity by 1 million dekatherms per day. The project’s goal is to enhance statewide interconnections and support North Dakota’s growing regional gas demand, which is changing rapidly as the energy landscape evolves. A forward-looking vision for North Dakota’s petroleum sector will be provided, where innovation and infrastructure expansion converge to sustain production. Ron Ness is the President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC). Ness, with more than 25 years with the Petroleum Council and more than 36 years of career experience, under his leadership and commitment to energy development, North Dakota oil production has increased from just over 80,000 barrels of oil per day to over 1.1 million barrels of oil per day. Ness has been instrumental in driving the state energy policy and research, including the Legacy Fund, Oil and Gas Research Council, Outdoor Heritage Fund, and the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority.
He serves as the industry spokesperson and manages the association, which represents more than 500 companies involved in all aspects of North Dakota’s oil and gas industry.
Prior to his position with NDPC, Ness was previously the President of the North Dakota Retail and Petroleum Marketers Association. Prior to that, he spent ten years with the State of North Dakota, most of which as the Deputy Commissioner of Labor.
Ness is a Tolna, North Dakota native, a graduate of North Dakota State University in Business and Economics. He received his Master’s in Management from the University of Mary.
Ron was appointed by Governors Schafer, Hoeven, Dalrymple, Burgum, and Armstrong to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Oil and Gas Research Council, the Empower North Dakota Commission, and the Governor’s Revenue Advisory Committee.
Ness serves on the Board for Sanford Health Bismarck and is the past board chair. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Governor’s Cup, serves on the Boards of the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, the Council for Secure America, and serves on the Board of Regents at the University of Mary. Ness is also a partner in a commercial real estate group.
He previously served as the Chairman of the Board of the Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation, and Leadership North Dakota, and served on the Board of Directors for the national Mule Deer Foundation.
Ness and his wife Becky, have three adult children and enjoy working on wildlife and habitat projects on their farm and ranch properties, as well as golfing, shooting, hunting, and traveling. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx