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BLM seeks public comment for oil and gas lease reinstatements in New Mexico

New Mexico
Pecos DO
Media Contact

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office today opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on seven oil and gas parcels totaling 4,666.69 acres that may be included in an upcoming lease reinstatement in New Mexico. The parcels are located in in Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. The comment period ends Feb. 7, 2025.

The BLM is seeking public comment on the parcels, and the related environmental analysis. BLM will use input from the public to help complete its review of each parcel and determine if reinstatement of these parcels conforms with all applicable laws, policies and land use plans.

The parcels the BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2035409/510.

Lessees of federal oil and gas leases are required to pay annual rental during the primary term of a lease (the first 10 years) prior to discovery of oil and gas in paying quantities. Leases automatically terminate when a lessee fails to make proper and timely rental payments. Federal oil and gas leases terminated for failure to make proper and timely rental payment may be reinstated under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations.

The leases petitioned for reinstatement that are the subject of this review were terminated automatically from failure of the lessee to make timely rental payment and may be reinstated under a Class I or a Class II reinstatement, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the payment failure.

For more information, please contact BLM Natural Resource Specialist Catie Brewster at cbrewster@blm.gov or (505) 954-2044.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.