BLM New Mexico releases sale notice for November 2019 oil and gas lease sale
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SANTA FE, N.M. - In keeping with the Administration’s goal of promoting American energy security, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer 16 parcels totaling nearly 7619.46 acres at its November 2019 quarterly oil and gas lease sale. The proposed parcels are located in Eddy, Lea, and Sandoval counties in New Mexico; and Dewey and Woodward counties in Oklahoma. The lease sale is scheduled to occur online at www.energynet.com on November 7, 2019. Publication of this sale notice starts a 10-day protest period that runs September 9-18, 2019.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill (APD) detailing development plans. The BLM reviews APDs, posts them for public review, and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.
Revenues from onshore oil and gas production on federal lands directly fund the U.S. Treasury and state budgets, and support public education, infrastructure improvements, and other state-determined priorities. Forty-eight percent of lease sale revenue goes to the state while the rest goes to the U.S. Treasury. The state also receives half of the revenue from royalties if oil and gas are developed on the lease.
The BLM is a key contributor to the Trump Administration's America-First Energy Plan, an all-of-the-above strategy that includes oil and gas, coal, strategic minerals, and renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar – all of which can be produced on public lands.
Background
By statute, the BLM is required to offer quarterly oil and gas leases sales of available federal lands. BLM state offices conduct quarterly lease sales when parcels are available. These lease sales represent parcels that cleared environmental review and public comment. The BLM issues both competitive and non-competitive leases for a 10-year period. The leases are a contract to explore and develop any potential oil and gas. The leases may earn an extension if the lessee establishes production, otherwise they pay annual rentals.
The sale notice, environmental review documents, and additional information including protest instructions can be viewed online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/oil-and-gas/leasing/regional-lease-sales/new-mexico. The information can also be obtained by visiting the BLM New Mexico State Office at 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508.
Public Comments
Please note that the most useful public comments are substantive and identify issues relevant to the proposed action. These may question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of information, methodology, or assumptions, and present reasonable alternatives other than those analyzed. Comments that contain only opinions or preferences, or comments that are essentially identical to other comments, will not be specifically addressed in the environmental review process.
Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment — including personal identifying information — may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For more information, please contact BLM Land Law Examiner Lourdes Ortiz at (505) 954-2146.
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.