Mineral Resources: Interior's Use of Oil and Gas Development Contracts
RCED-91-1
Published: Sep 17, 1991. Publicly Released: Oct 17, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the use of development contracts by the Bureau of Land Management, acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, in its onshore federal oil and gas leasing program, focusing on whether the contracts: (1) entered into or approved since 1986 satisfy the legal requirements for development contracts; and (2) have had adverse effects on small oil and gas producers.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should amend the mineral leasing acts to expressly permit or prohibit Interior to enter into or approve development contracts for exploration for oil and gas on largely unleased federal lands or to increase or remove the acreage limitation. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
No action has been taken and no current plans for possible action are expected. |
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Topics
Contract termsGas leasesGas resourcesLand leasesOil drillingOil leasesOil resourcesPetroleum industryPublic landsExploration