Offshore staff
NEW ORLEANS – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) says that it is taking steps to comply with an order issued on Sept. 21, 2023, by the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana regarding Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 261.
A BOEM press release states that although the United States is seeking an emergency stay of this in “order to allow time for a more orderly lease sale process,” in the event such relief is not granted, Lease Sale 261 will be conducted on Sept. 27, 2023, and in accordance with the court’s order, including lease blocks that were had been excluded due to concerns regarding potential impacts to the Rice’s whale distribution in the Gulf of Mexico.
The agency also said that in conformance with the recent court order, it will also remove portions of a related stipulation meant to address potential impacts to Rice’s whale from the lease terms, for the leases that may be issued as a result of Lease Sale 261.
For more information, see the Notice to Bidders at www.boem.gov/sale-261.
BOEM also says that it is extending the bid submission period to 3 pm CST on Sept. 26, 2023. For Lease Sale 261 only, the agency says that bidders may hand deliver bids from 9:00 am –3:00 pm CST on Sept. 25 and 26, or send via mail.
More info on additional bidding instructions modified as a result of the court’s order can be viewed at www.boem.gov/sale-261. BOEM says that it plans to broadcast the opening of bids for Lease Sale 261 via its website (www.boem.gov) on Sept. 27, 2023, at 9 am CST.
09.23.2023
