Nova Scotia Subsurface Energy R&D Investment Program (SERDIP)

The Subsurface Energy R&D Investment Program (SERDIP or Program) is a provincial initiative designed to understand the potential to explore Nova Scotia’s onshore hydrocarbon resources while ensuring environmental stewardship and transparency. The program aims to enhance geological knowledge and assess resource viability and extraction.
The Program will offer financial incentives (Appendix F) to operators to explore Nova Scotia’s petroleum potential as part of a controlled research initiative. This work will advance scientific understanding of subsurface geology, new energy potential in geothermal or carbon capture utilization and storage and modern drilling and stimulation technologies applied in the Nova Scotia environment, helping shape future energy policy and economic development.
All phases of the Program must be completed by the end of 2026, with mobilization and drilling activities completed by October 2026. The Province of Nova Scotia (the “Province”) recognizes the accelerated nature of this schedule and is committed to expediting its internal review and approval processes wherever reasonably possible. At the same time, the Province and operators will continue to comply with all applicable safety, regulatory, and governance requirements (Petroleum Resources Act (Energy) https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/rxam-z.htm#petro

Successful proponents from the Call for Participation will enter into a Petroleum Exploration Agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia, giving the proponent the exclusive right to explore for and produce oil and gas from the agreed to lands for a 3-year term (renewable up to twice for a total of 9 years).

Cost of acquiring documents: Not Applicable

Terms of payment for acquiring documents: Not Applicable

Tender notices on CanadaBuys published for Nova Scotia Public Sector Entities may not reflect amendments. For tender documents and up-to-date addenda, refer to the Nova Scotia Procurement Portal: https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/DAL2026-21171325

For additional detail on contract duration, refer to the tender documents.

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Contract duration

Trade agreements