Dalhousie University to oversee $30M program on N.S. natural gas deposits

Nova Scotia has launched a $30-million program to kickstart the natural gas industry.

Dalhousie University is overseeing a $30-million program to track and develop guidelines for onshore natural gas exploration in Nova Scotia.

The provincial government engaged the university for the subsurface energy research and development investment program.

Graham Gagnon, Acting VP of Research and Innovation at Dalhousie University

“Whether it’s home heating oil, coal or natural gas, many of these energy sources come from outside of Nova Scotia, making us vulnerable to tariffs or any other geopolitical measure that may be used against Nova Scotians,” said Graham Gagnon, acting VP of Research and Innovation at Dalhousie University.

Premier Tim Houston says the program will “kick-start” Nova Scotia’s natural gas industry.

“Previous governments made the decision to shut down our industry and import fuel,” said the premier in a news release. “That contributed to driving up electricity costs while sending jobs elsewhere. That makes no sense.

“Developing our own resources to fuel our own energy needs will help combat the rising cost of heat and power and create good-paying jobs here at home.”

The Ecology Action Centre disagrees, calling the move a “step backwards.”

“Seeing an increase of fracking come up again and the exploitation of some really high emitting fossil fuels is disappointing,” said Badia Nehme, energy coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre.

“I think there’s better, greener, healthier, cleaner options for us to be looking at.”

Officials wouldn’t say for certain whether hydraulic fracturing would be the method used, but day this partnership allows them to investigate all their options.

“Onshore drilling doesn’t necessarily mean hydraulic fracturing. That’s a technology that’s used if the conditions in the geology require it,” said Kim Doane, with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy.

“Just because you drill an onshore drilling well, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to use a hydraulic fracturing technology. You don’t know that until you actually drill a well. So that would be sort of a stage two.”

The provincial government says there are an estimated seven trillion cubic feet of natural gas underground in Nova Scotia.

Dalhousie will launch an oversight committee with people from the Department of Energy, First Nations, the energy industry, academia and the public. It will also set qualification criteria and issue an open call for project proposals.

The university is scheduled to submit a final report by Dec. 31, 2026.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Vanessa Wright.

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