Call for Participation

Dalhousie University invites industry participants (“Proponents”) to join a collaborative research and development program focused on Nova Scotia’s onshore energy resources. Proponents will contribute scientific and operational data to support geological modeling, technology evaluation, and environmental assessment. Key activities include exploratory drilling, flow testing, and production analysis. Proponents will be eligible for reimbursement of a portion of eligible exploration well costs.

Program Timeline

May 2026Exploration agreement
May–June 2026Due diligence and site selection
 July–October 2026Mobilization and drilling
October–December 2026Data sharing and reporting

Call for Participation Submission Process

  • Expression of Interest (EOI): Optional, due March 11, 2026
  • Questions: Accepted March 2 – April 10, 2026
  • Full Submission: Due April 15, 2026
  • Qualified Proponents Identified: April 30, 2026

What Proponents Need to Provide

Company Information

  • Corporate registration and governance
  • Evidence of technical and operational competence
  • Organizational structure
  • Financial capacity and insurance
  • Track record and experience in similar programs

Technical Project Elements

  • Project overview
  • Indicative budget and schedule
  • Land access strategy

Access the Nova Scotia Onshore Data Room

Proponents are encouraged to access the Nova Scotia Department of Energy Onshore Data Room. This secure resource provides a comprehensive suite of existing geological, geophysical, and technical information to support evaluation of exploration opportunities. The Data Room is hosted on a GIS, seismic, and well workstation platform, offering valuable data for project planning and submission preparation.

To request access to the Data Room, contact:
Natasha MacAdam at Natasha.MacAdam@novascotia.ca.

Public Geological Resources

Proponents are also advised to consult the Nova Scotia Onshore Petroleum Atlas and its associated Open File Reports. These resources provide extensive geological and petroleum systems information, including regional geology, subsurface data, and resource assessment methodologies. The Atlas and reports are designed to support independent evaluation and reproducibility of interpretations and conclusions.

These materials are publicly accessible online:

Onshore Atlas Open File Reports

Proponents may reference or utilize this information in preparing their submissions.

For More Information

For full details, submission guidelines, and access to supporting data, please visit:

Dalhousie Bids and Tenders

For general inquiries, contact: subsurfaceenergy@dal.ca.