CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In a new release, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it will be leasing a total of 4,641.95 acres of land over eight separate parcels for oil and gas production beginning with a sale Dec. 3.
Scoping on these eight parcels, spread all throughout eastern and southern Wyoming, was completed by the BLM in May this year. A subsequent public comment period was open until August regarding potential deferrals, environmental concerns and analysis and the parcels themselves, according to the BLM.
This process refined the total list of parcels from 14 to eight, with some being deferred and others being completely deleted. The total proposed acreage also went from 6,762.47 acres to the final 4,641.
(Screenshot from BLM website)
Environmental concerns are especially relevant as a federal court last week blocked the BLM and the U.S. Department of the Interior from issuing permits to companies who had already purchased stakes in a separate energy field the size of Delaware in the Powder River Basin on the grounds that the BLM overestimated the amount of necessary groundwater required for drilling. Those companies had already purchased their leases in the area and were looking for permits to drill.
While the public comment period has ended, responses issued by the BLM to comments the department received can be viewed at this link or in the attached file below.
Relevant public comments include concerns over wildlife management on the leased lands, what happens once drilling has concluded and climatic concerns.
Following the sale of the leases in December, leasing companies must go through a series of steps to actually begin drilling. Operators must submit a permit that the BLM will process and publish for public review. The department would also conduct an environmental analysis and coordinate with the vested corporate and state entities.
In concordance with the Fluid Minerals Leasing and Leasing Process Rule, a 16.67% royalty rate will be included in the upcoming lease sales that, according to the BLM, ensures the public taxpayer receives a fair return on corporate leasing of public lands.
Including the file addressing public comment, also included below is the full environmental assessment conducted by the BLM. This report describes potential environmental consequences relating to air quality, water resources, wildlife habitat and more. For more information on the BLM and its leasing operations, see the organization’s website.
2024-12.20240916.1031.WSO_.921.Response-to-Public-Comment
2024-12.20240916.0959.WSO_.921.Draft-EA
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