Oil and Gas Work Site

Oil & Gas

The Northwest Territories (NWT) has vast undeveloped oil and gas reserves. It is estimated that the NWT could hold as much as 37 percent of Canada’s marketable light crude oil resources and 35 percent of its marketable natural gas resources.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) is responsible for the administration of onshore oil and gas interests in the petroleum lands of the NWT, including the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Petroleum lands mean lands that are under the administration and control of the Commissioner, or in respect of which the Commissioner has the right to dispose of or exploit the natural resources. Interests issued in the offshore and the Norman Wells Proven Area are the responsibility of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

To download a map that depicts the line of delimitation between onshore and offshore, click here

ITI promotes economic self-sufficiency through the responsible management and development of NWT petroleum resources to create a prosperous, diverse and sustainable economy for the benefit of all NWT residents. ITI supports the use of recognized best practices and scientific evidence to protect the environment while responsibly developing natural resources to benefit NWT residents.

ITI’s Mineral and Petroleum Resources Division develops and delivers petroleum resources policy, programs and services related to petroleum resources exploration and development, manages tenure associated with petroleum development and is responsible for benefit plans.