DMR is the primary source of information regarding the geology of ND and is responsible for regulating all facets of petroleum production through enforcement of statutes, rules and regulations of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The DMR maintains the state’s core and sample library in Grand Forks, coordinates the State Fossil and State Mineral Collection, and disseminates geological information via the internet, maps, publications, presentations, tours and field trips. The DMR has statutory regulatory responsibilities for subsurface minerals, underground fluid injection, carbon dioxide underground storage, oil well cores and drilling samples, coal exploration drilling, geothermal and paleontological resources.
Geological Survey
The North Dakota Geological Survey serves as the primary source of geological and map-related information in the State. It promotes better public understanding of the State's natural resources by creating, collecting, and disseminating geologic and map-related information, and it administers several regulatory programs as well as acting in an advisory capacity to other state agencies. Regulatory responsibilities include storing and curating oil-well core and samples and making these materials available for study at their core and sample library in Grand Forks. The Survey also regulates coal exploration, geothermal resources, subsurface minerals, Class III Underground Injection Control Wells, and fossil resource protection. The Survey is led by the State Geologist appointed by the Commission.
Oil and Gas Division
The Oil and Gas Division regulates the drilling and production of oil and gas in North Dakota. Our mission is to encourage and promote the development, production, and utilization of oil and gas in the state in such a manner as will prevent waste, maximize economic recovery, and fully protect the correlative rights of all owners to the end that the landowners, the royalty owners, the producers, and the general public realize the greatest possible good from these vital natural resources.