For Immediate Release: November 13, 2003
Contact: Nora DeDios 661-391-6129
CCal-04-5

BLM ASKS FOR OIL INDUSTRY INTERESTS FOR THE NEXT LEASE SALE

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management periodically offers federal lands for lease for oil and gas development.

The BLM is planning its next competitive oil and gas lease sale for February 25, 2004. BLM wants to include unleased federal lands that industry is interested in seeing offered for lease.

The oil and gas industry is being asked to identify unleased federal lands in California they believe have potential for development. BLM calls this an "expression of interest." An expression of interest is a letter or a form listing the legal descriptions of lands an individual or company is interested in seeing offered for lease.

Expressions of interest must be received by November 21, 2003 in order to be considered for inclusion in the sale. They should be sent to the BLM-California State Office, Attention: Debra Marsh at 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1618, Sacramento, CA. 95825. You may contact Nora DeDios at the BLM-Bakersfield Office at (661) 391-6129, if you have questions regarding the sale or to obtain a form to submit your expression of interest.

A Lease Sale Notice will be published in January listing the parcels that will be offered for lease and information on the location, time and procedures for the lease sale.

-BLM-

Bakersfield Field Office - 3801 Pegasus Drive - Bakersfield, CA 93308