Alaska’s Division of Oil and Gas awarded two Beaufort Sea leases pending since 2011 and published tract maps for Nov. 19 Beaufort Sea and North Slope lease sales that accurately reflect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s western boundary following a thorough review.
The division, which is part of the state’s Department of Natural Resources, took the actions on Oct. 21 after Alaska sought priority conveyance of nearly of nearly 20,000 acres of uplands following its assertion that the US Fish & Wildlife Service did not properly map ANWR’s western boundary (OGJ Online, Oct. 20, 2014).
“I’m pleased that we are now able to award these leases to the 2011 bidders and clarify the acreage that is available for oil and gas exploration in this highly-prospective region,” Natural Resources Commissioner Joe Balash said.
“Our next step is to determine how the state’s assertion will affect existing leases on tidal and submerged lands along the ANWR boundary,” he said.
Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].
