BLM offers 2.85 million acres for oil and gas lease sale within the NPR-A
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — In keeping with the Administration’s goal of promoting America’s energy independence and bolstering Alaska’s economy, the Bureau of Land Management will offer 254 tracts (approximately 2.85 million acres) in an oil and gas lease sale on Dec. 12, 2018. The sealed bid opening will be conducted via video livestream.
“The tracts offered support the Secretary’s goal to strengthen our energy development,” said BLM Alaska Acting State Director Ted Murphy. “This year’s lease sale demonstrates our commitment to continue Alaska energy production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and create jobs and revenue for the State."
The Dec. 12, 2018, sale will be the 14th in the NPR-A since 1999. There are currently 199 leases covering 1,384,352 acres in the NPR-A. Bids received for the 13 previous sales generated more than $282 million, half of which was paid to the State of Alaska.
The 254 tracts being offered were designated as available for development in the 2013 NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision. From July 19 through Aug. 20 of this year, the BLM sought public input and nominations on all available tracts within the NPR-A. The BLM received comments and nominations on tracts available and unavailable for leasing.
The NPR-A oil and gas lease sales are competitive. A detailed statement of sale, including a description of the tracts offered for lease, the lease terms, conditions and special stipulations, and how and where to submit the sealed bids, will be available at www.blm.gov/alaska.
Sealed bids must be received by 4 p.m. (AKST) on Dec. 10, at the BLM Alaska State Office. The BLM will open sealed bids submitted on the tracts offered at 10 a.m. (AKST) on Dec. 12, and will livestream the opening of the bids at blm.gov/live.
The first oil production from federal lands was recently announced with the Greater Mooses Tooth project at the eastern edge of the NPR-A. The Conoco Phillips Alaska, Inc. project was authorized in February 2015 and is expected to produce 25 to 30 thousand barrels of oil per day during peak production.
A list of past NPR-A lease sales can be found on the Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sales page, and the notice is published in the Federal Register.
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.