Nova Scotia expands industry call for onshore gas research program
(WO) — Dalhousie University has launched a second call for industry participation in Nova Scotia’s Subsurface Energy Research and Development Investment Program as the province continues evaluating the potential of onshore natural gas resources.
The program, administered by Dalhousie University on behalf of the Nova Scotia government, is designed to support research tied to the province’s subsurface natural gas potential and provide data intended to inform future energy and climate policy decisions.
The initiative offers financial incentives for operators participating in exploration activity under what officials described as a controlled research framework.
“It’s incredibly important that we take full advantage of our natural resources, in safe, responsible ways, to boost Nova Scotia’s economic and energy security,” said Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia. “A second call for participation reflects the strong interest to date and feedback we heard from industry.”
The university issued its initial participation call in February, with submissions closing in April. Officials said the second round was launched following additional industry interest and requests for more time to evaluate participation opportunities.
According to Dalhousie, the second call will remain open through Nov. 30, 2026, with proponents evaluated throughout the process and qualified applicants potentially advancing to negotiations with the province before the final deadline.
“This second call reflects the strong interest we’ve seen from industry and the value of listening to that feedback,” said Graham Gagnon, vice president of research and innovation at Dalhousie University.
The technical committee overseeing the program will evaluate submissions and provide recommendations to the provincial government regarding preferred proponents and potential contract negotiations.
Nova Scotia announced the subsurface energy initiative in late 2025 as part of broader efforts to assess the province’s domestic energy resource potential and future supply options.
