On May 21, 2025, the Wyoming Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee met in Casper to examine the future of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the state—an opportunity that could unlock an estimated 2 billion barrels of stranded oil and generate significant new revenue.
Discussion focused on CO2 injection and other recovery methods as well as the economic, regulatory, and infrastructure challenges to broader implementation. Since 1986, CO2 EOR projects in Wyoming have recovered more than 173 million barrels of oil and generated over $1.1 billion in state tax revenue, according to Lon Whitman, Director of the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute (EORI).
- Capital & infrastructure: Some projects require $300M+ (pipelines and long-term CO2 contracts).
- Tech mix: Lawmakers and operators are also evaluating polymer-augmented waterfloods, NGL injection, and enriched air injection to expand applicability and reduce costs.
- Policy context: CO2 supply, 45Q credit levels, and regulatory streamlining (unitization, aquifer exemptions, bonding) are central to near-term progress.
With substantial CO2 resources and large volumes of stranded oil, Wyoming could lead the next wave of EOR with coordinated investment, regulatory clarity, and targeted pipeline development.