No substantial new info for fall sales

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas has issued a decision of no substantial new information for the state’s fall areawide oil and gas lease sales - Beaufort Sea, North Slope and North Slope Foothills.

The division said June 24 that it only received one timely comment, that on the North Slope Foothills best interest finding, that referenced and included documents. There were no comments received on the Beaufort Sea and North Slope best interest findings.

The North Slope Foothills comment was from the National Park Service and addressed issues ranging from concerns about wildlife populations in the area to the impact of oil and gas development on the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The decision found that much of the information provided by NPS did not constitute substantial new information or would not substantially change information discussed in the best interest finding. Other comments from the agency were outside the scope of the best interest finding on lease sale issues or did not relate to authorities of the division.

The division said the information received would be reviewed and updated when the division begins work on the next best interest findings for the areawide lease sales.

- Petroleum News