The U.S. Minerals Management Service is considering expanding the planned 1994 Cook Inlet lease sale off Alaska.
MMS said several industry commentors asked that the areas proposed for consideration of leasing be enlarged, based on new geologic and geophysical information.
MMS may expand the sale area to 761 blocks totaling 3.7 million acres but award leases on only 250 or fewer tracts. It said enlargement of the area for consideration of leasing would provide an opportunity to continue innovative analysis of hydrocarbon potential.
The additional acreage would fall between two areas where tracts are planned for leasing and farther south in Shelikof Strait.
MMS is considering a request by area residents that the planning area be renamed Cook Inlet-Shelikof Strait so it is clear that the strait is part of the planning area.
MMS also may propose a 1994 sale in the St. George basin and a 1997 sale in the Hope basin, both off western Alaska. No sales would be held in the Norton basin, Navarin basin, and St. Matthew-Hall planning area.
MMS earlier planned to consider only one sale in either the Hope basin or St. George basin, and only one sale in either Norton basin, Navarin basin, or St. Matthew-Hall.
The agency asked for comments on expanding the Cook Inlet sale, renaming it, and holding sales in the other Alaskan basins. It will disclose its decisions when it releases its proposed final 5 year leasing program in the spring.
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