UND will soon host the world's largest - and only - full scale oil drilling and completion lab. 

"This drilling and completion laboratory, when fully completed, will be a $40-million experimental facility that does not exist anywhere else in the world," said Vamegh Rasouli, Continental Resources Distinguished Professor of Petroluem Engineering and department chair.

Petroleum engineering students will be able to simulate general drilling and deep drilling, along with testing different rocks, including shale. They will also be able to simulate oil reservoir conditions, including temperature, pressure and fluid flow. Doctoral students will be able to perform research that benefits the state of North Dakota. 

"This is the only full-scale rig in the world, and it's been used by industries worldwide for research," Rasouli said.

After an agreement is signed the rig will be housed inside the old Minnkota Power Plant building in Grand Forks, which has the height and space to accommodate the 26-foot-tall derrick.

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