BLM extends regulatory deadlines for oil and gas leases
WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management has extended two regulatory enforcement deadlines to provide relief and predictability to operators with oil and gas leases on public lands. These deregulatory actions are intended to provide additional time for operators to meet requirements included in oil and gas regulations finalized in April 2024, while further deregulation by the BLM is considered.
Under the previous administration’s Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule, the statewide minimum bonding requirement for operators was increased from $25,000 to $500,000. The BLM has extended the phase-in deadline for compliance with the minimum amount for statewide oil and gas bonds by one year. The deadline for compliance will now be June 22, 2027. This one-year extension aligns the statewide bonds deadline with individual lease bond phase-in date, simplifying implementation, reducing confusion, and giving operators additional time to adjust to the new financial assurance requirements.
Earlier this week, the BLM extended the Biden administration’s deadlines for the measurement and sampling of flaring volumes and the filing of leak detection and repair programs for applicable leases. The BLM is providing operators with an additional year to have measurement devices and sampling in place for flares flowing between 1,050 and 6,000 mcf/month. The rule extends the compliance deadline to Dec. 10, 2026, allowing operators additional time to implement necessary equipment and procedures to meet these requirements.
These actions reflect the Department of the Interior's commitment to providing regulatory certainty, supporting economic growth, and advancing the American Energy Dominance Agenda.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.