DNR extends comment period on regulations

Petroleum News

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has extended the period for public comment on proposed changes in its oil and gas leasing regulations to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16. The proposed regulation changes were public noticed July 12 (see story in July 21 issue of Petroleum News) and the original close date for comments was Aug. 9.

The supplemental notice, published July 29, was issued to extend the public comment period.

The proposed changes, DNR said in its supplemental notice, are to regulations concerning payment of oil and gas royalties, rents and bonuses; mineral leasing practice and procedures, including oil and gas leasing procedures.

“The proposed changes will facilitate online oil and gas lease sales, provide for electronic submissions to DNR, and address miscellaneous administrative matters associated with mineral lease sale and mineral lease administration,” DNR said.

Kyle Smith, petroleum land manager at DNR’s Division of Oil and Gas, told Petroleum News July 17 that many of the regulations hadn’t been changed for 20 or 30 years, so were being updated to work with today’s technology. He said that adding online sales makes that option possible, but doesn’t require the division to hold online sales, which are held by a lot of other states and the federal government. The division would still be required to open and announce bids publicly, Smith said.

- Petroleum News