2nd Round of Oil Shale RD&D Leasing

The BLM WRFO has begun the process of evaluating nominations for the second round of oil shale research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) leasing. Each RD&D lease is a 160 acre tract with an associated preference lease area of up to 480 contiguous acres. The preference lease areas are reserved for conversion to a commercial lease at a future time after additional BLM review.

Both ExxonMobil Exploration Company and Natural Soda Holdings, Inc., have submitted plans of operations for consideration. These two proposals are for adjacent areas and will be analyzed in one environmental assessment (EA). 

Public Comment Period

BLM will accept public comments on the preliminary environmental assessment through June 16, 2012.  

Written comments can be mailed to Paul Daggett, BLM WRFO, 220 E. Market Street, Meeker, CO 81641, or sent via email to wrfomail@blm.gov. Please note "2nd Oil Shale RD&D EA Comments" in the subject line for all emails. 

For more information, please contact Paul Daggett at (970) 878-3819.

Before including address, phone number, e-mail address, or any other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request BLM to withhold personal identifying information  from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.

Preliminary Environmental Assessment

To view the preliminary environmental assessment, please click here.

Plans of Operations & Map of the Lease Areas

To view the Plan of Operation submitted by ExxonMobil Exploration Company, please click here.

To view the Plan of Operation submitted by Natural Soda Holdings, Inc., please click here.

To view a map of all of the RD&D lease areas and associated preference acreages (for both round one and round two), please click here.

Example Lease Forms

First Round Lease Form

Second Round Lease Form