SB 2344 Summary

• Designates hydraulic fracturing and carbon dioxide use for enhanced oil, gas, and mineral recovery as acceptable recovery processes in North Dakota.

• Declares it is in the public interest to promote carbon dioxide use to benefit the state's coal, power, and overall economy, and to encourage enhanced recovery operations.

• Permits persons conducting authorized operations to use subsurface geologic formations as reasonably necessary for enhanced oil recovery, disposal operations, and other authorized purposes without requiring owner permission or payment.

• Defines "pore space" as naturally or artificially created cavities or voids in subsurface sedimentary strata, and clarifies that land excludes pore space.

• Establishes that injection or migration of substances into pore space for disposal, secondary/tertiary recovery, or mineral production is not unlawful and does not constitute trespass or nuisance, while preserving surface owner rights in certain contract situations.