Thursday, April 18, 2024

BLM has made new rules for drill leasing on federal lands.

Happy Thursday!  The sun is shining, and it’s turned out to be a beautiful day!  We hope you have had a chance to have lunch outside to enjoy it!

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s Daily Update Newsletter on April 15, 2024, their article titled, “US BLM boosts costs to drill on federal lands in sweeping new leasing regulations”?  The article speaks on the subject of new updated rules the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released on Friday for producers who drill on federal lands.  The Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule which effects federal onshore oil and gas leasing architecture which hasn’t been revised since the end of the 1980s, and the bonding levels haven’t been changed since the 1960s, and the royalty rates haven’t been raised in over a century is a win for Americans.  The changes which will be adopted will help the American people get assurances that they won’t be stuck with the cleanup once the lease has expired by increasing the minimum bond to $150,000 on the lease as well as adjusting or ridding other bonds, and it will add funds to America’s pocketbook.  The Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process should stop conjecture which will reduce leases being in locations unlikely to be developed in hopes to protect wildlife and cultural heritage sites, and the natural beauty of an area.  The increases were in regard to suggestions from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) which has been advising these changes for a long while and to honor the request from Congress.  Leasing bids for auction have been increased to $10 an acre and royalties have been increased to over 16%.  The recent changes are in hopes to protect the lands and Americans from developers as well as add funds to the American pocketbook.  If you would like to learn more about the changes read the Oil and Gas Journal’s article, please click the link: US BLM boosts costs to drill on federal lands in sweeping new leasing regulations | Oil & Gas Journal (ogj.com).

If you would like to read the BLM’s announcement, please click the link: BLM ensures fair taxpayer return, strengthens accountability for oil and gasoperations on public lands | Bureau of Land Management.

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We hope you have a wonderful evening! 

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read The Oil and Gas Journal’s article. **