MMS calls for information and nominations of next Arctic lease sale

The US Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) has called for information and nominations for its next sales of drilling rights on Alaska’s Arctic continental shelf.
The call covers oil and gas lease sales 212 and 221 in the Chukchi Sea and lease sales 209 and 217 in the Beaufort Sea, as proposed under the agency’s 2007-2012 lease sale programme.

The MMS, the government branch tasked with overseeing oil and gas exploration on federal property, called for comments and suggestions from the industry and the public on areas to be included in the sales, possible environmental hazards, alternative used for the lands, the terms of the leases and possible mitigation measures, it said.
The consultation is the first step in the sale planning process, which takes about two years, the MMS said.

MMS Alaska regional director John Goll said a single environmental impact assessment would be prepared for the four sales because many of the issues affecting potential oil and gas exploration in the areas were the same.
The MMS has held 12 oil and gas lease sales in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas area since 1979.