Five Things to Know About the MLRS Fluid Minerals & Geothermal Module

On March 14, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS) Fluid Minerals & Geothermal Energy module. This is the second MLRS module (the first, for Mining Claims, was released in January 2021), and this addition brings new functionality tailored toward oil & gas and geothermal operators and lessees with BLM-administered cases. Here are five key things to know about the new MLRS module.

Note: Unique attributes of certain BLM operations and systems in Alaska will require custom MLRS development; therefore, most Alaska cases will not be available until a future release.

1. The MLRS research map opens up new possibilities. For example, you can:

  • Research existing leases and agreements based on location.
  • Link to the serial register page and the MLRS case page from the research map.
  • Navigate to General Land Office records based on the map location.
  • Use the surface management area, public land survey system, and administrative area layers to review map data.
  • See producing and nonproducing leases and agreements within the map.
A screenshot of the MLRS research map.
The MLRS research map provides a range of tools to view current information on leases and agreements.

2. MLRS enhances transparency for customers. For example:

  • Customers who create an MLRS account can see all cases associated with their accounts, including bond information.
  • MLRS helps oil and gas companies manage their BLM assets and identify leases where they need to file additional documents with the BLM.
  • Customers who create an MLRS account can update their contact information with the BLM.
  • Customers can set up multiple logins for each company representative to sign into the company’s account.
MLRS case information screen.
Information on case status is readily available within MLRS.

3. MLRS provides increased access to BLM fluid minerals files. For example:

  • MLRS customers can review the documents associated with new actions on all fluid mineral cases.
  • Starting in April 2022, built-in hyperlinks on the case pages will enable customers to see the relationship between leases, agreements, and participating areas.
  • As the BLM continues to enter additional data, MLRS displays the existing interests on a lease with both operating rights and record title ownership tied to the legal land description.

4. MLRS comes with new serial numbers, but existing ones still work too. This helps because:

  • MLRS serial numbers allow easier searching of the database and decreased errors when identifying cases.
  • It provides a consistent serial number format for all BLM cases.
  • Cases can still be searched for using the existing serial number, and operators are able to keep this serial number on all existing signage.
Example of an MLRS serial number.
The new MLRS serial numbers include a 2-letter abbreviation for the geographic state, 2-letter abbreviation for the BLM administrative state, and a 9-digit number.

5. MLRS does not replace existing processes but integrates seamlessly with them. For example:

  • BLM customers and members of the public can track pending and completed actions on all fluid mineral cases, except bonds.
  • System-to-system communication with the National Fluids Lease Sale System (NFLSS) increases efficiency in the BLM process and will display all leasing documents related to the lease within MLRS going forward.

Want more info?

And remember: We have a team standing by to help you! If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the extensive MLRS Help Center, submit your questions at https://phd.blm.gov and someone from the MLRS team will respond. Select "Mineral and Land Records System (MLRS)" from the Application dropdown and fill out the fields with as much detail as possible.

Blog Topic:
Energy and Minerals
< All BLM Blogs

Related Stories