MMS issues proposed 2002-2007 OCS leasing program, DEIS

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service said Oct. 26 that its proposed outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing program for 2002-2007 is now available, along with a draft environmental impact statement.

MMS said it is proposing to hold 20 oil and natural gas lease sales in the federal outer continental shelf between 2002 and 2007. The proposed program includes sales in the Gulf of Mexico's Western, Central and part of the Eastern planning areas; and Alaska's Beaufort Sea, Norton Basin, Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait and the Chukchi Sea/Hope Basin. The proposed program does not include any areas currently under moratoria or presidential withdrawal.

MMS is required by law to prepare a new five-year program to succeed the current one that ends June 30, 2002. The planning process began in December 2000 with a request for comments and information. A draft proposed program was issued this July and MMS requested public comments. Those comments have been considered in the development of the proposed program, which will be available for comment for 90 days, until Jan. 24.

Comments received will be considered in the development of the proposed final program and final EIS and made available in April 2002 to the president and Congress for 60 days. The new five-year program will take effect on July 1, 2002, if approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

MMS will hold public hearings on the draft EIS in early December.

Alaska sales in the 2002-2007 proposed program include: sale 186 Beaufort Sea 2003; sale 188 Norton Basin 2003; sale 191 Cook Inlet-Shelikof Strait 2004; sale 193 Chukchi Sea-Hope Basin 2004; sale 195 Beaufort Sea 2005; sale 199 Cook Inlet-Shelikof Strait 2006; sale 202 Beaufort Sea 2007; and sale 203 Chukchi Sea-Hope Basin 2007.

Editors note: Map provided by Minerals Management Service.