The Division of Oil and Gas has received two exploration license proposals and has requests out for competing proposals.
One of the license proposals is a gas-only exploration license proposal for some 21,080 gross acres in the Houston area. Because the state is soliciting for competing proposals it is not releasing the names of the applicants or provisions of the proposals.
The Houston area application is for state-owned land within township 18 north, range 3 west, sections 1-18 and 20-24; T18N-R4W, sections 1, 2, 11-13; T9N-R3W, sections 31-36; and T19N-R4W, sections, 35-36, all in the Seward Meridian.
The other proposal is an oil and gas exploration license in the Crooked Creek basin northeast of Fairbanks, between the towns of Central and Circle Hot Springs, and the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. This area consists of some 161,280 gross acres of state-owned land within township 7 north, ranges 16-19 east; T8N, R16-19E; and T19N, R15-17E, Fairbanks Meridian.
Both applications were received April 30. Applications are one way the licensing process can be initiated: The state accepts applications each April. The commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources may also issue a notice requesting submittal of proposals to explore a designated area; those notices may be issued at any time.
Prospective licensees have until 5 p.m. Jan. 17 to notify the Division of Oil and Gas of intent to submit a competing proposal; competing proposals are due 5 p.m. Feb. 18.
The division does not have a standard proposal form, but requires specific information — along with a map — and including the proposed work commitment. Maps and a copy of the proposal notices will be posted on the division’s Web site at www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us.
