BLM Colorado to Hold First Online Oil and Gas Lease Sale
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office has posted the proposed list of parcels for its quarterly competitive oil and gas lease sale. The sale will begin at 9 a.m., September 9, 2009, and conclude at noon on September 17, 2009. For the first time in BLM’s history, the sale will be conducted online.Congress directed the BLM to conduct a pilot Internet oil and gas lease auction in the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act as a one-time event to study the feasibility of an online auction.The BLM Washington Office selected BLM Colorado for the event, which will be held entirely online. The Oil and Gas Lease Sale Internet Auction Pilot website is available online. The Web site lists 38 parcels, totaling 28,489 acres, located within the Royal Gorge (Canon City), Little Snake (Craig), and White River (Meeker) field office areas.The 38 parcels will be split into two groups that will become available for bid on a staggered basis over two days. The first 19 parcels will be offered beginning on September 9 and will close at noon on September 16. The remaining 19 will be offered beginning on September 10 and will close at noon on September 17. Each group of 19 will be offered for a total of seven days. All bidders may choose to bid on any of the parcels during these time periods.Similar to typical online auctions, bidders will have the option of submitting one-time set bids on parcels as well as proxy bids. Proxy bids allow the offer to automatically increase in increments up to a set amount indicated by the bidder.Bidders must register online to actually bid and are encouraged to do so early to familiarize themselves with the site and the auction guidelines. Credit card information, as well as a sworn statement of intention to buy, are required. An online tutorial is available on the Website.The Website will remain available for viewing for 30 days after the sale closes on September 17.There will be no change to the process for filing protests for this sale. Protests of parcels being offered for lease must be in writing and delivered by 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, by hand, postal delivery (BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215), or fax (303-239-3799). There is no provision for filing protests online or via e-mail.Lease sale information can also be obtained online, at each of the Bureau’s field offices, and the BLM Colorado State Office Public Room, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215.
The BLM manages more than 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.