Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259, 12404-12413 [2023-03973]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
12404
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
accommodation requests on a case-bycase basis.
Detailed meeting minutes for the
Southern New Mexico RAC are
maintained in the Las Cruces District
Office, located at 1800 Marquess Street,
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005. Meeting
minutes will be available for public
inspection and reproduction during
regular business hours within 90 days
following the meeting. Minutes will also
be posted on the RAC web page at
https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/
resource-advisory-council/near-you/
new-mexico/southern-rac.
Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–1.
James Stovall,
BLM Pecos District Manager.
[FR Doc. 2023–03936 Filed 2–24–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331–23–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[234.LLID910000.L18200000.XZ0000.241A0
MO #4500167688]
Notice of Public Meeting of the Idaho
Resource Advisory Council
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972, the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Land Management’s (BLM) Idaho
Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will
meet as indicated below.
DATES: The Idaho RAC will host a
meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
Public notice of any changes to this
schedule will be posted on the Idaho
RAC web page (see ADDRESSES) 15 days
in advance of the meeting.
ADDRESSES: The Idaho RAC meeting
will be held virtually on the Zoom
platform and registration information
will be available on the RAC’s web page
15 days in advance of the meeting at
https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/
resource-advisory-council/near-you/
idaho.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Idaho RAC Coordinator MJ Byrne,
telephone: (208) 373–4006, email:
mbyrne@blm.gov. Individuals in the
United States who are deaf, deafblind,
hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
(Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2.)
The Idaho
RAC serves in an advisory capacity to
BLM officials concerning issues relating
to land use planning and management
of public land resources located within
the State of Idaho. The Idaho RAC is
chartered and the 15 members are
appointed by the Secretary of the
Interior. Their diverse perspectives are
represented in commodity, noncommodity, and local interests.
Agenda items for the meeting will
include recommendations for
consideration to the Idaho RAC on the
Lava Ridge Wind Project Draft
Environmental Impact Statement and
any Subcommittee findings. Final
agendas will be posted on the RAC web
page listed in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice.
The meeting is open to the public.
Individuals who plan to attend and
need special assistance, such as sign
language interpretation or other
reasonable accommodations, should
contact the BLM (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). A public
comment period will be offered at 1
p.m. Depending on the number of
persons wishing to speak and the time
available, the amount of time for oral
comments may be limited. Written
public comments may be sent to the
BLM Idaho State Office listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. All
comments received at least 1 week prior
to the meeting will be provided to the
Idaho RAC. Please include ‘‘RAC
comment’’ in your submission.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comments, please be aware that your
entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comments
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Detailed summary minutes for the
Idaho RAC are maintained in the BLM
Idaho State Office and will be available
for public inspection and reproduction
during regular business hours within 30
days of the meetings. Previous minutes
and agendas are also available on the
Idaho RAC web page listed earlier.
BILLING CODE 4331–19–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00098
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Karen Kelleher,
Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023–03937 Filed 2–24–23; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2022–0064]
Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf
Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Final notice of sale.
AGENCY:
On Wednesday, March 29,
2023, the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) will open and
publicly announce bids received for
blocks offered in the Gulf of Mexico
(GOM) Regionwide Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259
(GOM Lease Sale 259), in accordance
with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act (OCSLA), as amended, and its
implementing regulations. The Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022 requires BOEM
to hold GOM Lease Sale 259 by March
31, 2023. The GOM Lease Sale 259 Final
Notice of Sale (NOS) package contains
information essential to potential
bidders and comprises this notice,
Information to Lessees, and Lease
Stipulations.
DATES: BOEM will hold GOM Lease Sale
259 at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March
29, 2023. All times referred to in this
document are Central time, unless
otherwise specified.
Bid submission deadline: BOEM must
receive all sealed bids prior to the Bid
Submission Deadline of 10:00 a.m. on
Tuesday, March 28, 2023, the day before
the lease sale. For more information on
bid submission, see section VII of this
document, ‘‘Bidding Instructions.’’
ADDRESSES: Bids will be accepted by
MAIL ONLY through any parcel
delivery service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, U.S.
Postal Service, DHL), prior to the bid
submission deadline, at 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard, New Orleans,
Louisiana, 70123. Public bid reading for
GOM Lease Sale 259 will be held at
1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New
Orleans, Louisiana. The venue will not
be open to the general public, media, or
industry during bid opening or reading.
Bid opening will be available for public
viewing on BOEM’s website at https://
www.boem.gov/Sale-259/ via livestreaming video beginning at 9:00 a.m.
on the date of the sale. The results will
be posted on BOEM’s website upon
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
completion of bid opening and reading.
Interested parties may download the
Final NOS package from BOEM’s
website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale259/. Copies of the sale maps can be
obtained by contacting the BOEM GOM
Region: Gulf of Mexico Region Public
Information Office, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123–2394, (504) 736–2519 or (800)
200–GULF.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregory Purvis, Program Analyst, The
New Orleans Office Lease Sale
Coordinator at BOEMGOMRLeaseSales@
boem.gov or 504–736–1729.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This notice of sale is
published pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1331 et
seq. (Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act,
as amended) and 30 CFR 556.308(a).
Table of Contents
I. Lease Sale Area
II. Statutes and Regulations
III. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions
IV. Lease Stipulations
V. Information to Lessees
VI. Maps
VII. Bidding Instructions
VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions
IX. Forms
X. The Lease Sale
XI. Delay of Sale
I. Lease Sale Area
Blocks Offered for Leasing: BOEM
will offer for bid in this lease sale all of
the available unleased acreage in the
GOM OCS as identified on the map,
GOM protraction areas
‘‘Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of Mexico
OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259, March,
2023, Final Sale Area’’ (https://
www.boem.gov/Sale-259/) except those
blocks listed below in ‘‘Blocks Not
Offered for Leasing.’’
Blocks Not Offered for Leasing: BOEM
will exclude the following whole and
partial blocks from this sale. The BOEM
Official Protraction Diagrams (OPDs)
and Supplemental OPDs are available
online at https://www.boem.gov/Mapsand-GIS-Data/.
• Whole and Partial Blocks
withdrawn from leasing by Presidential
Withdrawal in the September 8, 2020,
Memorandum on the Withdrawal of
Certain Areas of the United States Outer
Continental Shelf from Leasing
Disposition:
Block
Pensacola (Leasing Map NH 16–
05).
Destin Dome (Leasing Map NH 16–
08).
DeSoto Canyon (Leasing Map NH
16–11).
Henderson (Leasing Map NG 16–
05).
Whole Blocks: 751–754, 793–798, 837–842, 881–886, 925–930, 969–975.
Whole Blocks: 1–7, 45–51, 89–96, 133–140, 177–184, 221–228, 265–273, 309–317, 353–361, 397–405,
441–450, 485–494, 529–538, 573–582, 617–627, 661–671, 705–715, 749–759, 793–804, 837–848,
881–892, 925–936, 969–981.
Whole Blocks: 1–15, 45–59, 92–102.
Partial Blocks: 16, 60, 61, 89–91, 103–105, 135–147.
Partial Blocks: 114, 158, 202, 246, 290, 334, 335, 378, 379, 422, 423.
• Whole and Partial Blocks within the
boundary of the Flower Garden Banks
National Marine Sanctuary (East and
West Flower Garden Banks and the
Stetson Bank) as of the July 14, 2008,
Memorandum on Modification of the
Withdrawal of Areas of United States
Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing
Disposition:
GOM protraction areas
Block
High Island, East Addition, South
Extension (Leasing Map TX7C).
Whole Block: A–398.
Partial Blocks: A–366, A–367, A–374, A–375, A–383, A–384, A–385, A–388, A–389, A–397, A–399, A–
401.
Partial Blocks: A–502, A–513.
High Island, South Addition (Leasing Map TX7B).
Garden Banks (Leasing Map NG
15–02).
Partial Blocks: 134, 135.
• Whole and Partial Blocks that are
adjacent to or beyond the U.S. Exclusive
Economic Zone in the area known as the
northern portion of the Eastern Gap:
GOM protraction areas
Block
Lund South (Leasing Map NG 16–
07).
Henderson (Leasing Map NG 16–
05).
Florida Plain (Leasing Map NG 16–
08).
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
12405
Whole Blocks: 128, 129, 169–173, 208–217, 248–261, 293–305, 349.
Whole Blocks: 466, 508–510, 551–554, 594–599, 637–643, 679–687, 722–731, 764–775, 807–819, 849–
862, 891–905, 933–949, 975–992.
Partial Blocks: 335, 379, 423, 467, 511, 555, 556, 600, 644, 688, 732, 776, 777, 820, 821, 863, 864, 906,
907, 950, 993, 994.
Whole Blocks: 5–24, 46–67, 89–110, 133–154, 177–197, 221–240, 265–283, 309–327, 363–370.
• Depth-restricted, segregated block
portion(s). The current block meeting
this criterion is: Block 299, Main Pass
Area, South and East Addition (as
shown on Louisiana Leasing Map
LA10A), containing 1,125 acres from the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
surface of the earth down to a subsea
depth of 1,900 feet with respect to the
following described portions:
SW1⁄4NE1⁄4; NW1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
W1⁄2NE1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4; S1⁄2S1⁄2NW1⁄4NE1⁄4;
S1⁄2SW1⁄4NE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
S1⁄2SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4NE1⁄4; N1⁄2SW1⁄4SE1⁄4
NE1⁄4; SW1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4; NW1⁄4SE1⁄4
SE1⁄4 NE1⁄4;
N1⁄2NW1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
N1⁄2SE1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
N1⁄2S1⁄2SE1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
12406
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
S1⁄2NE1⁄4NW1⁄4; S1⁄2S1⁄2N1⁄2NE1⁄4NW1⁄4;
N1⁄2SE1⁄4NW1⁄4; S1⁄2SE1⁄4NW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
NE1⁄4SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
E1⁄2NE1⁄4SW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
N1⁄2SE1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;
NE1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;
N1⁄2NW1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;
SE1⁄4SE1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;
E1⁄2SW1⁄4SE1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4;
N1⁄2NW1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
N1⁄2S1⁄2NW1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
N1⁄2N1⁄2NE1⁄4NE1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4;
GOM protraction areas
N1⁄2N1⁄2N1⁄2NW1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4;
N1⁄2N1⁄2NW1⁄4NE1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4
• Whole and Partial Blocks that are
South of Baldwin County, Alabama:
Blocks
Mobile (Leasing Map NH16–04) .....
Viosca Knoll (Leasing Map NH 16–
07).
826–830, 869–874, 913–918, 957–962, 1001–1006.
33–35.
• Whole and Partial Blocks that were
otherwise proposed to be subject to the
Topographic Features Stipulation:
GOM protraction area
Blocks
East Breaks (Leasing Map NG 15–
01).
East Cameron Area (Leasing Map
LA2).
Eugene Island Area (Leasing Map
LA4).
Ewing Bank (Leasing Map NH 15–
12).
Garden Banks (Leasing Map NG
15–02).
Green Canyon (Leasing Map NG
15–03).
High Island Area, East Addition
(Leasing Map TX7A).
Mississippi Canyon (Leasing Map
NH 16–10).
Mustang Island Area (Leasing Map
TX3).
North Padre Island Area (Leasing
Map TX2).
South Marsh Island Area, North Addition (Leasing Map LA3D).
Ship Shoal Area (Leasing Map
LA5).
South Timbalier Area (Leasing Map
LA6).
Vermilion Area (Leasing Map LA3)
West Cameron Area (Leasing Map
LA1).
West Delta Area (Leasing Map
LA8).
121–124, 165–168, 173, 217.
361–363, 377–379.
335, 355–356, 381–383, 390–391, 397.
903, 932–933, 944–945, 947, 975–977.
26–31, 33, 61–63, 70–77, 81–85, 95–98, 102–110, 119–121, 126–128, 133–136, 138–146, 148–155, 177–
180, 192–198, 237–239.
4–7, 49–50, 90.
A311–312, A 327–A 332, A 340, A 346– A403, A446–A448, A463–A465, A486–A488, A501–A503, A512–
A514, A527–A529, A534–A535, A573, A578–A580, A589–A591, A596.
316.
A3–4, A9, A16, A54, A61–A62, A86–A87, A95, A117–A118, A136–A137.
PN A30–A31, A40–A41, A72, A83–A84.
161–163, 169–173, 176–180, 185–188, 193–197, 200–204.
325–329, 334–339, 348–353, 356–359.
314–317.
284–286, 297–300, 303–306, 317–320, 361–363, 369–372, 382–396, 403–412.
569–570, 589–592, 611–614, 633–638, 645–646, 648–663.
147–148.
• Whole and Partial Blocks that were
otherwise proposed to be subject to the
Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend)
Stipulation:
GOM protraction area
Blocks
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
Main Pass Area, South and East
Addition (Leasing Map LA10A).
Viosca Knoll (Leasing Map NH 16–
07).
190, 194, 198, 219–226, 244–266, 276–290.
473–476, 521–522, 564–566, 610, 654, 692–698, 734, 778.
• Whole and Partial Blocks identified
as either draft or final Wind Energy
Areas A–N:
GOM protraction area
Blocks
Brazos Area (Leasing Map TX5) ....
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
430, 457–459, 466–468, 572–575, 580–584, 609–614, A22, A28–A29, A3, A30–A35, A42–A43.
Jkt 259001
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
GOM protraction area
12407
Blocks
Brazos Area, South Addition (Leasing Map TX5B).
East Cameron Area (Leasing Map
LA2).
Galveston Area (Leasing Map TX6)
Galveston Area, South Addition
(Leasing Map TX6A).
High Island Area (Leasing Map
TX7).
High Island Area, East Addition
(Leasing Map TX7A).
High Island Area, South Addition
(Leasing Map TX7B).
Matagorda Island Area (Leasing
Map TX4).
Mustang Island Area (Leasing Map
TX3).
South Padre Island Area, East Addition (Leasing Map TX1A).
West Cameron Area (Leasing Map
LA1).
West Cameron Area, West Addition
(Leasing Map LA1A).
A102–A105, A46–A48, A55–A58, A60–A61, A73–A74.
96–106, 113–124.
237, 258–259, 265–268, 286–291, 293–299, 317–327, 350–356, 386–387, 427–429, 460–462, 464–465,
A1–A9, A10–A38, A40–A49, A52–A55, A61–A77, A84–A86, A91–A94, A97–A99, A103–A105, A110–
A113.
A114–A119, A123–A124, A138–A139, A140–A148, A169–A174, A203.
235–236, 260–261, 263–264, 292, A2–A4, A11–A15, A27–A31, A62–A64, A66–A68, A70–A90, A92–A99,
A100–A111, A113–A116, A118–A142, A144–A152, A156–A163, A165–A166.
A170–A174, A177–A182, A187–A193, A195–A199, A202–A209, A211–A213, A216–217, A220–A228,
A233–A241, A250–A251.
A404–A405, A408–A413, A420–A425, A428–A431, A434–A439, A454–A457, A480–A481.
639–642, 646–649, 673–678, A1, A3, A4.
803–804, 810–812, 826–828, 832–834, 847–849, 853–854.
1078, 1097–1098, 1117–1119, A35–A36, A46–A52, A59–A64.
188–190, 195–196, 205–213, 224–230, 241–245, 256.
302–303, 314–318, 328–334, 343–352, 359–360, 362–364, 372–379, 393–396, 398–400.
• Whole and Partial BOEMdesignated Significant Sediment
Resource Area Blocks:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
GOM protraction area
Blocks
Bay Marchand Area (Leasing Map
LA6C).
Breton Sound Area (Leasing Map
LA10B).
Chandeleur Area (Leasing Map
LA11).
Eugene Island Area (Leasing Map
LA4).
Galveston Area (Leasing Map TX6)
Galveston Area, South Addition
(Leasing Map TX6A).
Grand Isle Area (Leasing Map LA7)
High Island Area (Leasing Map
TX7).
High Island Area, East Addition
(Leasing Map TX7A).
Mobile (Leasing Map NH 16–04) ....
Main Pass Area (Leasing Map
LA10).
Main Pass, South and East Addition (Leasing Map LA10A).
South Pelto Area (Leasing Map
LA6B).
Sabine Pass Area (LA) (Leasing
Map LA12).
South Marsh Island Area, North Addition (Leasing Map LA3D).
Ship Shoal Area (Leasing Map
LA5).
South Timbalier Area (Leasing Map
LA6).
Sabine Pass Area (TX) (Leasing
Map TX8).
Viosca Knoll (Leasing Map NH 16–
07).
Vermilion Area (Leasing Map LA3)
West Cameron Area (Leasing Map
LA1).
West Cameron Area, West Addition
(Leasing Map LA1A).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
2–5.
24, 25, 39, 41–44, 53–56.
1, 4, 5, 8, 16, 28, 30–34.
10, 18–35, 37–96, 111, 112.
265, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 322.
1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A.
15, 25.
19–21, 35–39, 45–49, 60–65, 69–76, 83–91, 111–119, 131–137, 158–164, 171–175, 196–205, 230–234,
261–264, 292, A6–A10, A16–A22, A37–A42, A60–A65.
6, 10, 38–42, 45, 46, 60–65, 74–76, 83, 84, 85.
765–767, 778, 779, 809–824, 826–830, 853–874, 897–918, 942, 946, 947, 954–962, 991, 999–1006.
6, 39–44, 58–60, 86–90, 92–120, 125–129, 139.
161, 162, 180, 181.
1–20, 23–25.
8–16.
207–237, 241–249, 259–261, 267, 268.
24–26, 37, 38, 63–75, 84–100, 107–114, 119, 120.
9–11, 16–18, 34, 51, 52, 54, 55, 66, 67, 72.
9, 17, 18, 40, 44.
23, 34–38, 67, 78–82, 111, 155.
11, 30, 49, 51–54, 68–77, 86–96, 108–111.
20–22, 41–45, 56–60, 78–83, 90–95, 113–118, 128–134, 146–150, 153–157, 160, 161, 162, 168–172,
181.
154–157, 160–162, 287.
Jkt 259001
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
12408
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
GOM protraction area
Blocks
West Delta Area (Leasing Map
LA8).
20–31, 32, 43–50, 56–61.
The final list of blocks available for
bid is posted on BOEM’s website at
https://www.boem.gov/sale-259 under
the Final NOS tab.
II. Statutes and Regulations
The Inflation Reduction Act directs
BOEM to hold GOM Lease Sale 259 by
March 31, 2023 (Pub. L. 117–169). Each
lease is issued pursuant to OCSLA, 43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as amended, and is
subject to OCSLA implementing
regulations promulgated pursuant
thereto in 30 CFR part 556, and other
applicable statutes and regulations in
existence upon the effective date of the
lease, as well as those applicable
statutes enacted and regulations
promulgated thereafter, except to the
III. Lease Terms and Economic
Conditions
OCS Lease Form
BOEM will use Form BOEM–2005
(February 2017) to convey leases
resulting from this sale. This lease form
can be viewed on BOEM’s website at
https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2005. The
lease form will be amended to include
specific terms, conditions, and
stipulations applicable to the individual
lease. The final terms, conditions, and
stipulations applicable to this sale are
below.
Primary Terms
Primary terms are summarized in the
following table:
Water depth
(meters)
Primary term
0 to <400 .........................................
The primary term is 5 years; the lessee may earn an additional 3 years (i.e., for an 8-year extended primary term) if a well is spudded targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet True Vertical Depth Subsea
(TVDSS) during the first 5 years of the lease.
The primary term is 5 years; the lessee will earn an additional 3 years (i.e., for an 8-year extended primary
term) if a well is spudded during the first 5 years of the lease.
10 years.
400 to <800 .....................................
800+ ................................................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
extent that the after-enacted statutes and
regulations explicitly conflict with an
express provision of the lease. Each
lease is subject to amendments to
statutes and regulations, including but
not limited to OCSLA, that do not
explicitly conflict with an express
provision of the lease. The lessee
expressly bears the risk that such new
or amended statutes and regulations
(i.e., those that do not explicitly conflict
with an express provision of the lease)
may increase or decrease the lessee’s
obligations under the lease. BOEM
reserves the right to reject any and all
bids received, regardless of the amount
offered (see 30 CFR 556.516).
(1) The primary term for a lease in
water depths less than 400 meters
issued as a result of this sale is 5 years.
If the lessee spuds a well targeting
hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVDSS
within the first 5 years of the lease, then
the lessee may earn an additional 3
years, resulting in an 8-year primary
term. The lessee will earn the 8-year
primary term when the well is drilled to
a target below 25,000 feet TVDSS; or,
the lessee may earn the 8-year primary
term in cases where the well targets, but
does not reach, a depth below 25,000
feet TVDSS due to mechanical or safety
reasons that are beyond the lessee’s
control, and that are supported by
sufficient evidence from the lessee. To
earn the 8-year primary term, the lessee
is required to submit a letter to the
BOEM GOM Regional Supervisor, Office
of Leasing and Plans, as soon as
practicable, but no more than 30 days
after completion of the drilling
operation, providing the well number,
spud date, information demonstrating a
target below 25,000 feet TVDSS and
whether that target was reached, and if
applicable, any safety or mechanical
reasons encountered that prevented the
well from reaching a depth below
25,000 feet TVDSS. In the letter, the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
lessee must request confirmation from
BOEM that the lessee earned the 8-year
primary term. The BOEM GOM Regional
Supervisor for Leasing and Plans will
confirm in writing, within 30 days of
receiving the lessee’s letter, whether the
lessee has earned the extended primary
term and accordingly update BOEM’s
records. The extended primary term is
not effective unless and until the lessee
receives confirmation from BOEM. A
lessee that has earned the 8-year
primary term by spudding a well with
a hydrocarbon target below 25,000 feet
TVDSS during the standard 5-year
primary term of the lease will not be
granted a suspension for that same
period under the regulations at 30 CFR
250.175 because the lease is not at risk
of expiring.
(2) The primary term for a lease in
water depths ranging from 400 to less
than 800 meters issued as a result of this
sale is 5 years. If the lessee spuds a well
within the 5-year primary term of the
lease, the lessee may earn an additional
3 years, resulting in an 8-year primary
term. To earn the 8-year primary term,
the lessee is required to submit a letter
to the BOEM GOM Regional Supervisor,
Office of Leasing and Plans, as soon as
practicable, but no more than 30 days
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
after spudding a well, providing the
well number and spud date, and
requesting confirmation from BOEM
that the lessee earned the 8-year
extended primary term. Within 30 days
of receipt of the request, the BOEM
GOM Regional Supervisor for Leasing
and Plans will provide written
confirmation of whether the lessee has
earned the extended primary term and
accordingly update BOEM’s records.
The extended primary term is not
effective unless and until the lessee
receives confirmation from BOEM.
(3) The primary term for a lease in
water depths 800 meters or deeper
issued as a result of this sale is 10 years.
Minimum Bonus Bid Amounts
BOEM will not accept a bonus bid
unless it provides for a cash bonus in an
amount equal to or exceeding the
specified minimum bid, as described
below.
• $25 per acre or fraction thereof for
blocks in water depths less than 400
meters; and
• $100 per acre or fraction thereof for
blocks in water depths 400 meters or
deeper.
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
12409
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
Rental Rates
Annual rental rates per acre or
fraction thereof are summarized in the
following table:
Water depth
(meters)
Years 1–5
0 to <200 ..........................................................................................................
200 to <400 ......................................................................................................
400+ .................................................................................................................
Escalating Rental Rates for Leases With
an 8-Year Primary Term in Water
Depths Less Than 400 Meters
Any lessee with a lease in less than
400 meters water depth who earns an 8year primary term will pay an escalating
rental rate as shown above. The rental
rates after the fifth year for blocks in less
than 400 meters water depth will
become fixed and no longer escalate if
another well is spudded targeting
hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVDSS
after the fifth year of the lease, and
BOEM concurs that such a well has
been spudded. In this case, the rental
rate will become fixed at the rental rate
in effect during the lease year in which
the additional well was spudded.
Royalty Rate
• 183⁄4 percent for all leases.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
Minimum Royalty Rate
• $10 per acre or fraction thereof per
year for blocks in water depths less than
200 meters; and
• $16 per acre or fraction thereof per
year for blocks in water depths 200
meters or deeper.
Royalty Suspension Provisions
The issuance of leases with Royalty
Suspension Volumes (RSVs) or other
forms of royalty relief is authorized
under existing Departmental regulations
at 30 CFR part 560, which BOEM
administers. The specific details relating
to eligibility and implementation of the
various royalty relief programs,
including those involving the use of
RSVs, are found in the Departmental
regulations at 30 CFR part 203, which
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement administers. In this sale,
the only royalty relief program being
offered involves RSVs for the drilling of
ultra-deep wells in water depths of less
than 400 meters, as described in the
following section.
Royalty Suspension Volumes on Gas
Production From Ultra-Deep Wells
Pursuant to 30 CFR part 203, certain
leases issued as a result of this sale may
be eligible for RSV incentives on gas
produced from ultra-deep wells. Under
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
$10
16
16
this program, wells on leases in less
than 400 meters water depth and
completed to a drilling depth of 20,000
feet TVDSS or deeper receive an RSV of
35 billion cubic feet on the production
of natural gas. This RSV incentive is
subject to applicable price thresholds
set forth in the regulations at 30 CFR
part 203. These regulations implement
the requirements of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–58, 119 Stat.
594 (2005)).
IV. Lease Stipulations
One or more of the stipulations below
may be applied to leases issued as a
result of this sale. The applicable blocks
for each stipulation are identified on the
map ‘‘Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259,
March 2023, Stipulations and Deferred
Blocks’’ included in the Final NOS
package. The full text of the following
stipulations is contained in the ‘‘Lease
Stipulations’’ section of the Final NOS
package. BOEM has posted the final list
of blocks available for bid and the
applicable stipulations that apply to
those blocks on its website at https://
www.boem.gov/Sale-259 under the Final
NOS tab.
(1) Military Areas
(2) Evacuation
(3) Coordination
(4) Protected Species
(5) United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea Royalty Payment
(6) Agreement between the United
States of America and the United
Mexican States Concerning
Transboundary Hydrocarbon
Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico
(7) Restrictions due to Rights-of-Use and
Easement for Floating Production
Facilities
(8) Royalties on All Produced Gas
V. Information to Lessees
Information to Lessees (ITLs) provide
detailed information on certain issues
pertaining to specific oil and gas lease
sales. The full text of the ITLs for this
sale is contained in the ‘‘Information to
Lessees’’ section of the Final NOS
package and covers the following topics.
(1) Navigation Safety
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Year 6
Year 7
$20
32
22
Year 8+
$30
48
22
$40
64
22
(2) Ordnance Disposal Areas
(3) Existing and Proposed Artificial
Reefs/Rigs-to-Reefs
(4) Lightering Zones
(5) Indicated Hydrocarbons List
(6) Military Areas
(7) Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement Inspection and
Enforcement of Certain U.S. Coast
Guard Regulations
(8) Significant Outer Continental Shelf
Sediment Resource Areas
(9) Notice of Arrival on the Outer
Continental Shelf
(10) Bidder/Lessee Notice of Obligations
Related to Criminal/Civil Charges and
Offenses, Suspension, or Debarment;
Disqualification Due to a Conviction
under the Clean Air Act or the Clean
Water Act
(11) Protected Species
(12) Expansion of the Flower Garden
Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(13) Communication Towers
(14) Deepwater Port Applications for
Offshore Oil and Liquefied Natural
Gas Facilities
(15) Ocean Dredged Material Disposal
Sites
(16) Rights-of-Use and Easement
(17) Industrial Waste Disposal Areas
(18) Gulf Islands National Seashore
(19) Air Quality Permit/Plan Approvals
(20) Provisions Pertaining to Certain
Transactions by Foreign Persons
Involving Real Estate in the United
States
(21) Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
VI. Maps
The maps pertaining to this lease sale
can be viewed on BOEM’s website at
https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259. The
following maps also are included in the
Final NOS package:
Sale Area Map
The sale area is shown on the map
entitled, ‘‘Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259,
March 2023, Final Sale Area.’’
Lease Terms and Economic Conditions
Map
The lease terms and economic
conditions associated with leases of
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
12410
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
certain blocks are shown on the map
entitled, ‘‘Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of
Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259,
March 2023, Lease Terms and Economic
Conditions.’’
Stipulations and Deferred Blocks Map
The lease stipulations and the blocks
to which they apply are shown on the
map entitled, ‘‘Final Notice of Sale, Gulf
of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale
259, March 2023, Stipulations and
Deferred Blocks.’’
VII. Bidding Instructions
Bids may be submitted BY MAIL
ONLY through any parcel delivery
service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL) at
the address below in the ‘‘Mailed Bids’’
section. Bidders should be aware that
BOEM has eliminated in-person bidding
for GOM Lease Sale 259. Instructions on
how to submit a bid, secure payment of
the advance bonus bid deposit (if
applicable), and the information to be
included with the bid are as follows:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
Bid Form
For each block bid upon, a separate
sealed bid must be submitted in a sealed
envelope (as described below) and
include the following items:
• Total amount of the bid in whole
dollars only;
• Sale number;
• Sale date;
• Each bidder’s exact name;
• Each bidder’s proportionate
interest, stated as a percentage, using a
maximum of five decimal places (e.g.,
33.33333 percent);
• Typed name and title, and signature
of each bidder’s authorized officer.
Electronic signatures are acceptable.
The typed name, title, and signature
must agree exactly with the name and
title on file in the BOEM Gulf of Mexico
OCS Region Adjudication Section;
• Each bidder’s BOEM qualification
number;
• Map name and number or OPD
name and number;
• Block number; and
• Statement acknowledging that the
bidder(s) understands that this bid
legally binds the bidder(s) to comply
with all applicable regulations,
including the requirement to post a
deposit in the amount of one-fifth of the
bonus bid amount for any tract bid upon
and make payment of the balance of the
bonus bid and first year’s rental upon
BOEM’s acceptance of high bids.
The information required for each bid
is specified in the document ‘‘Bid
Form’’ that is available in the Final NOS
package, which can be found at https://
www.boem.gov/Sale-259/. A blank bid
form is provided in the Final NOS
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
package for convenience and can be
copied and completed with the
necessary information described above.
Bid Envelope
Each bid must be submitted in a
separate sealed envelope labeled as
follows:
• ‘‘Sealed Bid for GOM Lease Sale
259, not to be opened until 9 a.m.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023’’;
• Map name and number or OPD
name and number;
• Block number for block bid upon;
• Acreage, if the bid is for a block that
is split between the Central and Eastern
Planning Areas;
• The exact name and qualification
number of the submitting bidder only.
The Final NOS package includes a
sample bid envelope for reference.
Mailed Bids
Please address the envelope
containing the sealed bid envelope(s) as
follows: Attention: Leasing and
Financial Responsibility Section, BOEM
New Orleans Office, 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard MS–266A, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123–2394, Contains Sealed
Bids for GOM Lease Sale 259, Please
Deliver to Mr. Greg Purvis, 2nd Floor,
Immediately.
Please Note: Bidders are advised to
inform BOEM by email at
BOEMGOMRLeaseSales@boem.gov
immediately after placing bid(s) in the
mail. This provides advance notice to
BOEM regarding pending bids prior to
the bid submission deadline. In the
email, please state the tracking number
of the bid package, the number of bids
being submitted, and the email address
of the person who should receive the
bid receipt for signature. If BOEM
receives bids later than the bid
submission deadline, the BOEM GOM
Regional Director (RD) will return those
bids unopened to bidders. Please see
Section XI, ‘‘Delay of Sale,’’ regarding
BOEM’s discretion to extend the Bid
Submission Deadline in the case of an
unexpected event (e.g., flooding) and
how bidders can obtain more
information on such extensions.
Advance Bonus Bid Deposit Guarantee
Bidders that are not currently an OCS
oil and gas lease record title holder or
designated operator, or those that have
ever defaulted on a one-fifth bonus bid
deposit, must guarantee (secure) the
payment of the one-fifth bonus bid
deposit, by Electronic Funds Transfer
(EFT) or otherwise, prior to bid
submission using one of the following
four methods:
• Provide a third-party guarantee;
• Amend a development stage areawide bond via bond rider;
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Provide a letter of credit; or
• Provide a lump sum payment in
advance via EFT.
Please provide, at the time of bid
submittal, a confirmation or tracking
number for the payment, the name of
the company submitting the payment as
it appears on the payment, and the date
the payment was submitted so BOEM
can confirm payment with the Office of
Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR).
Submitting payment to the bidders’
financial institution at least 5 business
days prior to bid submittal helps ensure
that the Office of Foreign Assets Control
and the U.S. Department of the Treasury
(U.S. Treasury) have the needed time to
screen and process payments so they are
posted to ONRR prior to placing the bid.
ONRR cannot confirm payment until the
monies have been moved into
settlement status by the U.S. Treasury.
Bids will not be accepted if BOEM
cannot confirm payment with ONRR.
If providing a third-party guarantee,
amending a development stage areawide bond via bond rider, or providing
a letter of credit to secure your one-fifth
bonus bid deposit, bidders are urged to
file these documents with BOEM well in
advance of submitting the bid, to allow
processing time and for bidders to take
any necessary curative actions prior to
bid submission. For more information
on EFT procedures, see Section X, ‘‘The
Lease Sale.’’
Affirmative Action
Prior to bidding, each bidder should
file the Equal Opportunity Affirmative
Action Representation Form BOEM–
2032 (February 2020, available on
BOEM’s website at https://
www.boem.gov/BOEM-2032/) and Equal
Opportunity Compliance Report
Certification Form BOEM–2033
(February 2020, available on BOEM’s
website at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM2033/) with the BOEM GOM
Adjudication Section. This certification
is required by 41 CFR part 60 and
Executive Order (E.O.) 11246, issued
September 24, 1965, as amended by E.O.
11375, issued October 13, 1967, and by
E.O. 13672, issued July 21, 2014. Both
forms must be on file for the bidder(s)
in the GOM Adjudication Section prior
to the execution of any lease contract.
Geophysical Data and Information
Statement (GDIS)
The GDIS is composed of three parts:
(1) A ‘‘Statement’’ page that includes
the company representatives’
information and separate lists of blocks
bid on that used proprietary data and
those blocks bid upon that did not use
proprietary data;
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
(2) A ‘‘Table’’ listing the required data
about each proprietary survey used (see
below); and
(3) ‘‘Maps,’’ which contain the live
trace maps for each proprietary survey
that is identified in the GDIS statement
and table.
Every bidder submitting a bid on a
block in GOM Lease Sale 259 or
participating as a joint bidder in such a
bid must submit at the time of bid
submission all three parts of the GDIS.
A bidder must submit the GDIS even if
a joint bidder or bidders on a specific
block also have submitted a GDIS. Any
speculative data that has been
reprocessed externally or ‘‘in-house’’ is
considered proprietary due to the
proprietary processing and is no longer
considered to be speculative.
The bidder and joint bidder must
submit the GDIS in a separate and
sealed envelope and must identify all
proprietary data; reprocessed
speculative data, and/or any Controlled
Source Electromagnetic surveys,
Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) data,
gravity data, and/or magnetic data; or
other information used as part of the
decision to bid or participate in a bid on
the block. The bidder and joint bidder
must also include a live trace map (e.g.,
.pdf and ArcGIS shapefile) for each
proprietary survey identified in the
GDIS illustrating the actual areal extent
of the proprietary geophysical data in
the survey (see the ‘‘Example of
Preferred Format’’ that is included in
the Final NOS package for additional
information). The shape file must not
include cultural resources information;
only the live trace map of the survey
itself.
The GDIS statement must include the
name, phone number, and full address
for a contact person and an alternate
who are both knowledgeable about the
geophysical information and data listed
and who are available for 30 days after
the sale date. The GDIS statement must
also include a list of all blocks bid upon,
including those blocks where no
proprietary or reprocessed geophysical
data and/or proprietary information was
used, as a basis for the bidder’s decision
to bid or to participate as a joint bidder
in the bid. All bidders must submit the
GDIS statement even if no proprietary
geophysical data or information was
used in its bid preparation for the block.
An example of the preferred format of
the table is included in the Final NOS
package, and a blank digital version of
the preferred table can be accessed on
the GOM Lease Sale 259 website at
https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/. The
GDIS table should have columns that
clearly state the following:
• The sale number;
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
• The bidder company’s name;
• The joint bidder’s company’s name
(if applicable);
• The company providing proprietary
data to BOEM;
• The block area and block number
bid upon;
• The owner of the original data set
(i.e., who initially acquired the data);
• The industry’s original name of the
survey (e.g., E Octopus);
• The BOEM permit number for the
survey;
• Whether the data set is a fast-track
version;
• Whether the data is speculative or
proprietary;
• The data type (e.g., 2–D, 3–D, or 4–
D; pre-stack or post-stack; time or
depth);
• The migration algorithm (e.g.,
Kirchhoff migration, wave equation
migration, reverse migration, reverse
time migration) of the data and areal
extent of bidder survey (i.e., number of
line miles for 2–D or number of blocks
for 3–D);
• The live proprietary survey
coverage (2–D miles 3–D blocks);
• The computer storage size, to the
nearest gigabyte, of each seismic data
and velocity volume used to evaluate
the lease block;
• Who reprocessed the data;
• Date the final reprocessing was
completed (month and year);
• If the data was previously sent to
BOEM, list the sale number and date of
the sale for which it was used;
• Whether proprietary or speculative
AVO/AVA (PROP/SPEC) was used;
• Date AVO or AVA was sent to
BOEM if sent prior to the sale;
• Whether AVO/AVA is time or
depth (PSTM or PSDM);
• Which angled stacks were used
(e.g., NEAR, MID, FAR, ULTRAFAR);
• Whether the company used Gathers
to evaluate the block in question; and
• Whether the company used Vector
Offset Output (VOO) or Vector Image
Partitions (VIP) to evaluate the block in
question.
BOEM will use the computer storage
size information to estimate the
reproduction costs for each data set, if
applicable. BOEM will determine the
availability of reimbursement of
production costs consistent with 30 CFR
551.13.
BOEM reserves the right to inquire
about alternate data sets, to perform
quality checks, and to compare the
listed and alternative data sets to
determine which data set most closely
meets the needs of the fair market value
determination process. See the
‘‘Example of Preferred Format’’ that is
included in the Final NOS package.
PO 00000
Frm 00105
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
12411
The GDIS maps are live trace maps
(e.g., .pdf and ArcGIS shapefiles) that
bidders should submit for each
proprietary survey identified in the
GDIS table. The maps should illustrate
the actual areal extent of the proprietary
geophysical data in the survey (see the
‘‘Example of Preferred Format’’ that is
included in the Final NOS package for
additional information). As previously
stated, the shapefile must not include
cultural resources information, only the
live trace map of the survey itself.
Pursuant to 30 CFR 551.12 and
556.501, as a condition of the sale, the
BOEM GOM Regional Director requests
that all bidders and joint bidders submit
the proprietary data identified on their
GDIS within 30 days after the lease sale
(unless notified after the lease sale that
BOEM has withdrawn the request). This
request only pertains to proprietary data
that is not commercially available.
Commercially available data should not
be submitted to BOEM unless
specifically requested by BOEM. No
reimbursement will be provided for
unsolicited data sent to BOEM. The
BOEM GOM RD will notify bidders and
joint bidders of any withdrawal of the
request, for all or some of the
proprietary data identified on the GDIS,
within 15 calendar days of the lease
sale. Where the BOEM GOM RD has
notified bidders and joint bidders that
the request for such proprietary data has
been withdrawn, reimbursement will
not be provided. Pursuant to 30 CFR
part 551 and 30 CFR 556.501, as a
condition of this sale, all bidders that
are required to submit data must ensure
that the data are received by BOEM no
later than the 30th day following the
lease sale, or the next business day if the
submission deadline falls on a weekend
or Federal holiday.
The data must be submitted to BOEM
at the following address: Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Resource
Studies, GM 881A, 1201 Elmwood Park
Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–
2304.
BOEM recommends that bidders mark
the submission’s external envelope as
‘‘Deliver Immediately to DASPU.’’
BOEM also recommends that bidders
submit the data in an internal envelope,
or otherwise marked, with the following
designation: ‘‘Geophysical Data and
Information Statement for Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 259’’, Company Name, GOM
Company Qualification Number, and
‘‘Proprietary Data.’’
In the event a person supplies any
type of data to BOEM, that person must
meet the following requirements to
qualify for reimbursement:
(1) Must be registered with the System
for Award Management (SAM), formerly
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
12412
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
known as the Central Contractor
Registration (CCR). CCR usernames will
not work in SAM. A new SAM user
account is needed to register or update
an entity’s records. The website for
registering is gsa.gov/iaesystems.
(2) Must be enrolled in the U.S.
Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform
(IPP) for electronic invoicing; to enroll
go to https://www.ipp.gov/. Access then
will be granted to use the IPP for
submitting requests for payment. When
submitting a request for payment, the
assigned Purchase Order Number must
be included.
(3) Must have a current On-line
Representations and Certifications
Application at gsa.gov/iaesystems.
Please Note: Digital copies and
duplicate hardcopies should be
submitted for the GDIS Statement, Table
and Maps. The GDIS Statement should
be sent in as a digital PDF. The GDIS
Information Table must be submitted
digitally as an Excel spreadsheet. The
Proprietary Maps should be sent in as
PDF files and the live trace outline of
each proprietary survey should also be
submitted as a shapefile. Please flatten
all layered PDF files, since layered PDFs
can have many objects. Layered PDFs
can cause problems opening or printing
the file correctly. Bidders may submit
the digital files on a CD, DVD, or any
USB external drive (formatted for
Windows). If bidders have any
questions, please contact Ms. Dee Smith
at (504) 736–2706, or Ms. Teree
Campbell at (504) 736–3231.
Bidders should refer to Section X,
‘‘The Lease Sale,’’ regarding a bidder’s
failure to comply with the requirements
of the NOS, including any failure to
submit information required in the Final
NOS package.
Telephone Numbers/Addresses of
Bidders
BOEM requests that bidders provide
this information in the suggested format
prior to or at the time of bid submission.
The suggested format is included in the
Final NOS package. The form must not
be enclosed inside the sealed bid
envelope.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
Additional Documentation
BOEM may require bidders to submit
other documents in accordance with 30
CFR 556.107, 556.401, 556.501, and
556.513.
VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions
Restricted Joint Bidders
On October 18, 2022, BOEM
published the most recent List of
Restricted Joint Bidders in the Federal
Register at 87 FR 65248. Potential
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
bidders are advised to refer to the
Federal Register prior to bidding for the
most current List of Restricted Joint
Bidders in place at the time of the lease
sale. Please refer to the joint bidding
provisions at 30 CFR 556.511–556.515.
Authorized Signatures
All signatories executing documents
on behalf of the bidder(s) must execute
the same in conformance with the
BOEM qualification records. Bidders are
advised that BOEM considers the signed
bid to be a legally binding obligation on
the part of the bidder(s) to comply with
all applicable regulations, including that
requiring payment of one-fifth of the
bonus bid on all high bids. A statement
to this effect is included on each bid
form (see the document ‘‘Bid Form’’ that
is included in the Final NOS package).
Unlawful Combination or Intimidation
BOEM warns bidders against violation
of 18 U.S.C. 1860, which prohibits
unlawful combination or intimidation of
bidders.
Bid Withdrawal
Bids may be withdrawn only by
written request delivered to BOEM prior
to the bid submission deadline via any
parcel delivery service. Withdrawals
will not be accepted in person or via
email. The withdrawal request must be
on company letterhead and must
contain the bidder’s name, its BOEM
qualification number, the map name/
number, and the block number(s) of the
bid(s) to be withdrawn. The withdrawal
request must be executed by one or
more of the representatives named in
the BOEM qualification records. The
name and title of the authorized
signatory must be typed under the
signature block on the withdrawal
request. The BOEM GOM RD, or the
RD’s designee, will indicate approval by
signing and dating the withdrawal
request.
Bid Rounding
Minimum bonus bid calculations,
including rounding, for all blocks are
shown in the document ‘‘List of Blocks
Available for Leasing’’ that is included
in the Final NOS package. The bonus
bid amount must be stated in whole
dollars. If the acreage of a block contains
a decimal figure, then prior to
calculating the minimum bonus bid,
BOEM will round up to the next whole
acre. The appropriate minimum rate per
acre will be applied to the whole
(rounded up) acreage. The bonus bid
amount must be greater than or equal to
the minimum bonus bid, as calculated
and stated in the Final NOS package.
PO 00000
Frm 00106
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
IX. Forms
The Final NOS package includes
instructions, samples, and/or the
preferred format for the items listed
below. BOEM strongly encourages
bidders to use the recommended
formats. If bidders use another format,
they are responsible for including all the
information specified for each item in
the Final NOS package.
(1) Bid Form
(2) Sample Completed Bid
(3) Sample Bid Envelope
(4) Sample Bid Mailing Envelope
(5) Telephone Numbers/Addresses of
Bidders Form
(6) GDIS Form
(7) GDIS Envelope Form
X. The Lease Sale
Bid Opening and Reading
Sealed bids received in response to
the Final NOS will be opened at the
place, date, and hour specified under
the DATES and ADDRESSES sections of the
Final NOS. The venue will not be open
to the public. Instead, the bid opening
will be available for the public to view
on BOEM’s website at www.boem.gov
via live streaming. The opening of the
bids is for the sole purpose of publicly
announcing and recording the bids
received; no bids will be accepted or
rejected at that time.
Bonus Bid Deposit for Apparent High
Bids
Each bidder submitting an apparent
high bid must submit a bonus bid
deposit to ONRR equal to one-fifth of
the bonus bid amount for each such bid.
A copy of the notification of the high
bidder’s one-fifth bonus bid amount can
be obtained on the BOEM website at
https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/ under
the heading ‘‘Notification of EFT 1⁄5
Bonus Liability’’ after 1:00 p.m. on the
day of the sale. All payments must be
electronically deposited into an interestbearing account in the U.S. Treasury by
1:00 p.m. Eastern Time the day
following the bid reading (no
exceptions). Account information is
provided in the ‘‘Instructions for
Making Electronic Funds Transfer
Bonus Payments’’ found on the BOEM
website identified above.
Submitting payment to your financial
institution as soon as possible on the
day of bid reading, but no later than
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of bid
reading, will help ensure that deposits
have time to process through the U.S.
Treasury and post to ONRR. ONRR
cannot confirm payment until the
monies have been moved into
settlement status by the U.S. Treasury.
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2023 / Notices
BOEM requires bidders to use EFT
procedures for payment of one-fifth
bonus bid deposits for GOM Lease Sale
259, following the detailed instructions
contained on the ONRR Payment
Information web page at https://
www.onrr.gov/ReportPay/
payments.htm. Acceptance of a deposit
does not constitute, and will not be
construed as, acceptance of any bid on
behalf of the United States.
Withdrawal of Blocks
The United States reserves the right to
withdraw any block from this lease sale
prior to issuance of a written acceptance
of a bid for the block.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES
Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids
The United States reserves the right to
reject any and all bids, regardless of the
amount offered. Furthermore, no bid
will be accepted, and no lease for any
block will be awarded to any bidder,
unless:
(1) The bidder has complied with all
applicable regulations and requirements
of the Final NOS, including those set
forth in the documents contained in the
Final NOS package;
(2) The bid is the highest valid bid;
and
(3) The amount of the bid has been
determined to be adequate by the
authorized officer.
Any bid submitted that does not
conform to the requirements of the Final
NOS and Final NOS package, OCSLA,
or other applicable statutes or
regulations will be rejected and returned
to the bidder. The U.S. Department of
Justice and the Federal Trade
Commission will review the results of
the lease sale for any antitrust issues
prior to the acceptance of bids and
issuance of leases.
Bid Adequacy Review Procedures for
GOM Lease Sale 259
To ensure that the U.S. Government
receives fair market value for the
conveyance of leases from this sale,
BOEM will evaluate high bids in
accordance with the bid adequacy
procedures that are effective on the date
of the sale. The bid adequacy
procedures are available on BOEM’s
website at https://www.boem.gov/Oiland-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/
Regional-Leasing/Gulf-of-MexicoRegion/Bid-Adequacy-Procedures.aspx.
Lease Award
Leases issued as a result of GOM
Lease Sale 259 are expressly limited to
oil and gas exploration and
development. As noted in section 19 of
the lease form, all rights in the leased
area not expressly granted to the Lessee
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:06 Feb 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
by the Act, the regulations, or this lease
are hereby reserved to the Lessor.
BOEM requires each bidder that is
awarded a lease to complete the
following:
(1) Execute all copies of the lease
(Form BOEM–2005 [February 2017], as
amended);
(2) Pay by EFT the balance of the
bonus bid amount and the first year’s
rental for each lease issued in
accordance with the requirements of 30
CFR 1218.155 and 556.520(a); and
(3) Satisfy the bonding requirements
of 30 CFR part 556, subpart I, as
amended. ONRR requests that bidders
use only one transaction for payment of
the balance of the bonus bid amount
and the first year’s rental. Once ONRR
receives such payment, the bidder
awarded the lease may not request a
refund of the balance of the bonus bid
amount or first year’s rental payment.
XI. Delay of Sale
The BOEM GOM RD has the
discretion to change any date, time,
and/or location specified in the Final
NOS package in the case of an event that
the BOEM GOM RD deems could
interfere with a fair and orderly lease
sale process. Such events could include,
but are not limited to, natural disasters
(e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods),
wars, riots, acts of terrorism, fires,
strikes, civil disorder, or other events of
a similar nature. In case of such events,
bidders should call (504) 736–0557, or
access the BOEM website at https://
www.boem.gov, for information
regarding any changes.
Elizabeth Klein,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
[FR Doc. 2023–03973 Filed 2–24–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340–98–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2023–0022]
Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental
Shelf, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a
Record of Decision.
AGENCY:
BOEM announces the
availability of the Record of Decision
(ROD) for Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 259 (GOM Lease Sale 259).
This ROD identifies the selected
alternative for GOM Lease Sale 259,
which is analyzed in the Gulf of Mexico
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
12413
OCS Lease Sales 259 and 261: Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (GOM Lease Sales 259 and
261 Supplemental EIS).
ADDRESSES: The ROD and associated
information are available on BOEM’s
website at https://www.boem.gov/GoMSales-259-and-261-SEIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Helen Rucker, Chief, Environmental
Assessment Section, Office of
Environment, by telephone at 504–736–
2421, or by email at helen.rucker@
boem.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM is
required to hold GOM Lease Sale 259 on
or before March 31, 2023, pursuant to
the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
(IRA, Pub. L. 117–169), signed into law
on August 16, 2022. While Section
50264(d) of the IRA requires BOEM to
hold GOM Lease Sale 259, the IRA does
not disturb the bulk of BOEM’s normal
leasing process, including the resolution
of particular questions regarding the
scope of the lease sale and the terms of
the resulting leases. GOM Lease Sale
259 will provide qualified bidders the
opportunity to bid on unleased blocks
in the Gulf of Mexico OCS in order to
explore for, develop, and produce oil
and natural gas. BOEM evaluated five
alternatives in the GOM Lease Sales 259
and 261 Supplemental EIS. While
BOEM has no discretion in whether to
hold GOM Lease Sale 259, BOEM issued
the GOM Lease Sales 259 and 261
Supplemental EIS in accordance with
its normal leasing process to the fullest
extent practicable, and to inform the
decisionmaker on impacts from a
representative lease sale, mitigations,
and other action alternatives.
After careful consideration, the
Department of the Interior (DOI) has
selected a subset of the blocks analyzed
as Alternative D in the GOM Lease Sales
259 and 261 Supplemental EIS. That is,
to hold oil and gas Lease Sale 259 as a
GOM lease sale, with the exclusion of
whole and partial blocks that were
otherwise proposed to be subject to the
Topographic Features Stipulation, the
Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend)
Stipulation, and the Blocks South of
Baldwin County, Alabama, Stipulation.
Additional blocks have also been
excluded to help reduce identified
space-use conflicts or competing
interests in the Gulf of Mexico while
BOEM studies whether these areas are
compatible for use by more than one
infrastructure type.
Therefore, as selected by DOI, Lease
Sale 259 is a GOM regionwide lease sale
encompassing all three planning areas,
i.e., the Western Planning Area, Central
Planning Area, and a small portion of
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12404-12413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03973]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2022-0064]
Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION: Final notice of sale.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) will open and publicly announce bids received for
blocks offered in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Regionwide Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259 (GOM Lease Sale 259), in
accordance with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as
amended, and its implementing regulations. The Inflation Reduction Act
of 2022 requires BOEM to hold GOM Lease Sale 259 by March 31, 2023. The
GOM Lease Sale 259 Final Notice of Sale (NOS) package contains
information essential to potential bidders and comprises this notice,
Information to Lessees, and Lease Stipulations.
DATES: BOEM will hold GOM Lease Sale 259 at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
March 29, 2023. All times referred to in this document are Central
time, unless otherwise specified.
Bid submission deadline: BOEM must receive all sealed bids prior to
the Bid Submission Deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023,
the day before the lease sale. For more information on bid submission,
see section VII of this document, ``Bidding Instructions.''
ADDRESSES: Bids will be accepted by MAIL ONLY through any parcel
delivery service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, U.S. Postal Service, DHL), prior to
the bid submission deadline, at 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New
Orleans, Louisiana, 70123. Public bid reading for GOM Lease Sale 259
will be held at 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana.
The venue will not be open to the general public, media, or industry
during bid opening or reading. Bid opening will be available for public
viewing on BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/ via live-
streaming video beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the date of the sale. The
results will be posted on BOEM's website upon
[[Page 12405]]
completion of bid opening and reading. Interested parties may download
the Final NOS package from BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/. Copies of the sale maps can be obtained by contacting the BOEM
GOM Region: Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Office, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123-2394, (504) 736-2519 or (800) 200-GULF.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Purvis, Program Analyst, The
New Orleans Office Lease Sale Coordinator at
[email protected] or 504-736-1729.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This notice of sale is published pursuant to 43 U.S.C.
1331 et seq. (Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended) and 30 CFR
556.308(a).
Table of Contents
I. Lease Sale Area
II. Statutes and Regulations
III. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions
IV. Lease Stipulations
V. Information to Lessees
VI. Maps
VII. Bidding Instructions
VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions
IX. Forms
X. The Lease Sale
XI. Delay of Sale
I. Lease Sale Area
Blocks Offered for Leasing: BOEM will offer for bid in this lease
sale all of the available unleased acreage in the GOM OCS as identified
on the map, ``Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 259, March, 2023, Final Sale Area'' (https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/) except those blocks listed below in ``Blocks Not Offered for
Leasing.''
Blocks Not Offered for Leasing: BOEM will exclude the following
whole and partial blocks from this sale. The BOEM Official Protraction
Diagrams (OPDs) and Supplemental OPDs are available online at https://www.boem.gov/Maps-and-GIS-Data/.
Whole and Partial Blocks withdrawn from leasing by
Presidential Withdrawal in the September 8, 2020, Memorandum on the
Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental
Shelf from Leasing Disposition:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction areas Block
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pensacola (Leasing Map NH 16-05).. Whole Blocks: 751-754, 793-798, 837-
842, 881-886, 925-930, 969-975.
Destin Dome (Leasing Map NH 16-08) Whole Blocks: 1-7, 45-51, 89-96, 133-
140, 177-184, 221-228, 265-273, 309-
317, 353-361, 397-405, 441-450, 485-
494, 529-538, 573-582, 617-627, 661-
671, 705-715, 749-759, 793-804, 837-
848, 881-892, 925-936, 969-981.
DeSoto Canyon (Leasing Map NH 16- Whole Blocks: 1-15, 45-59, 92-102.
11). Partial Blocks: 16, 60, 61, 89-91,
103-105, 135-147.
Henderson (Leasing Map NG 16-05).. Partial Blocks: 114, 158, 202, 246,
290, 334, 335, 378, 379, 422, 423.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whole and Partial Blocks within the boundary of the Flower
Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (East and West Flower Garden
Banks and the Stetson Bank) as of the July 14, 2008, Memorandum on
Modification of the Withdrawal of Areas of United States Outer
Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction areas Block
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Island, East Addition, South Whole Block: A-398.
Extension (Leasing Map TX7C). Partial Blocks: A-366, A-367, A-374,
A-375, A-383, A-384, A-385, A-388,
A-389, A-397, A-399, A-401.
High Island, South Addition Partial Blocks: A-502, A-513.
(Leasing Map TX7B).
Garden Banks (Leasing Map NG 15- Partial Blocks: 134, 135.
02).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whole and Partial Blocks that are adjacent to or beyond
the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the area known as the northern
portion of the Eastern Gap:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction areas Block
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lund South (Leasing Map NG 16-07). Whole Blocks: 128, 129, 169-173, 208-
217, 248-261, 293-305, 349.
Henderson (Leasing Map NG 16-05).. Whole Blocks: 466, 508-510, 551-554,
594-599, 637-643, 679-687, 722-731,
764-775, 807-819, 849-862, 891-905,
933-949, 975-992.
Partial Blocks: 335, 379, 423, 467,
511, 555, 556, 600, 644, 688, 732,
776, 777, 820, 821, 863, 864, 906,
907, 950, 993, 994.
Florida Plain (Leasing Map NG 16- Whole Blocks: 5-24, 46-67, 89-110,
08). 133-154, 177-197, 221-240, 265-283,
309-327, 363-370.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depth-restricted, segregated block portion(s). The current
block meeting this criterion is: Block 299, Main Pass Area, South and
East Addition (as shown on Louisiana Leasing Map LA10A), containing
1,125 acres from the surface of the earth down to a subsea depth of
1,900 feet with respect to the following described portions: SW\1/
4\NE\1/4\; NW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\; W\1/2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\; S\1/
2\S\1/2\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\; S\1/2\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\; S\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/
4\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\; N\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\ NE\1/4\; SW\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/
4\NE\1/4\; NW\1/4\SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ NE\1/4\; N\1/2\NW\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/
4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\; N\1/2\S\1/2\SE\1/
4\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\;
[[Page 12406]]
S\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\S\1/2\N\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\; NE\1/4\SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
E\1/2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; NE\1/4\SW\1/
4\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\NW\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; SE\1/4\SE\1/
4\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; E\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\NW\1/
4\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\S\1/2\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/
2\N\1/2\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\N\1/2\N\1/2\NW\1/4\NW\1/
4\SE\1/4\; N\1/2\N\1/2\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\
Whole and Partial Blocks that are South of Baldwin County,
Alabama:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction areas Blocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile (Leasing Map NH16-04)...... 826-830, 869-874, 913-918, 957-962,
1001-1006.
Viosca Knoll (Leasing Map NH 16- 33-35.
07).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whole and Partial Blocks that were otherwise proposed to
be subject to the Topographic Features Stipulation:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction area Blocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
East Breaks (Leasing Map NG 15-01) 121-124, 165-168, 173, 217.
East Cameron Area (Leasing Map 361-363, 377-379.
LA2).
Eugene Island Area (Leasing Map 335, 355-356, 381-383, 390-391, 397.
LA4).
Ewing Bank (Leasing Map NH 15-12). 903, 932-933, 944-945, 947, 975-977.
Garden Banks (Leasing Map NG 15- 26-31, 33, 61-63, 70-77, 81-85, 95-
02). 98, 102-110, 119-121, 126-128, 133-
136, 138-146, 148-155, 177-180, 192-
198, 237-239.
Green Canyon (Leasing Map NG 15- 4-7, 49-50, 90.
03).
High Island Area, East Addition A311-312, A 327-A 332, A 340, A 346-
(Leasing Map TX7A). A403, A446-A448, A463-A465, A486-
A488, A501-A503, A512-A514, A527-
A529, A534-A535, A573, A578-A580,
A589-A591, A596.
Mississippi Canyon (Leasing Map NH 316.
16-10).
Mustang Island Area (Leasing Map A3-4, A9, A16, A54, A61-A62, A86-
TX3). A87, A95, A117-A118, A136-A137.
North Padre Island Area (Leasing PN A30-A31, A40-A41, A72, A83-A84.
Map TX2).
South Marsh Island Area, North 161-163, 169-173, 176-180, 185-188,
Addition (Leasing Map LA3D). 193-197, 200-204.
Ship Shoal Area (Leasing Map LA5). 325-329, 334-339, 348-353, 356-359.
South Timbalier Area (Leasing Map 314-317.
LA6).
Vermilion Area (Leasing Map LA3).. 284-286, 297-300, 303-306, 317-320,
361-363, 369-372, 382-396, 403-412.
West Cameron Area (Leasing Map 569-570, 589-592, 611-614, 633-638,
LA1). 645-646, 648-663.
West Delta Area (Leasing Map LA8). 147-148.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whole and Partial Blocks that were otherwise proposed to
be subject to the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) Stipulation:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction area Blocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Pass Area, South and East 190, 194, 198, 219-226, 244-266, 276-
Addition (Leasing Map LA10A). 290.
Viosca Knoll (Leasing Map NH 16- 473-476, 521-522, 564-566, 610, 654,
07). 692-698, 734, 778.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whole and Partial Blocks identified as either draft or
final Wind Energy Areas A-N:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction area Blocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brazos Area (Leasing Map TX5)..... 430, 457-459, 466-468, 572-575, 580-
584, 609-614, A22, A28-A29, A3, A30-
A35, A42-A43.
[[Page 12407]]
Brazos Area, South Addition A102-A105, A46-A48, A55-A58, A60-
(Leasing Map TX5B). A61, A73-A74.
East Cameron Area (Leasing Map 96-106, 113-124.
LA2).
Galveston Area (Leasing Map TX6).. 237, 258-259, 265-268, 286-291, 293-
299, 317-327, 350-356, 386-387, 427-
429, 460-462, 464-465, A1-A9, A10-
A38, A40-A49, A52-A55, A61-A77, A84-
A86, A91-A94, A97-A99, A103-A105,
A110-A113.
Galveston Area, South Addition A114-A119, A123-A124, A138-A139,
(Leasing Map TX6A). A140-A148, A169-A174, A203.
High Island Area (Leasing Map TX7) 235-236, 260-261, 263-264, 292, A2-
A4, A11-A15, A27-A31, A62-A64, A66-
A68, A70-A90, A92-A99, A100-A111,
A113-A116, A118-A142, A144-A152,
A156-A163, A165-A166.
High Island Area, East Addition A170-A174, A177-A182, A187-A193,
(Leasing Map TX7A). A195-A199, A202-A209, A211-A213,
A216-217, A220-A228, A233-A241,
A250-A251.
High Island Area, South Addition A404-A405, A408-A413, A420-A425,
(Leasing Map TX7B). A428-A431, A434-A439, A454-A457,
A480-A481.
Matagorda Island Area (Leasing Map 639-642, 646-649, 673-678, A1, A3,
TX4). A4.
Mustang Island Area (Leasing Map 803-804, 810-812, 826-828, 832-834,
TX3). 847-849, 853-854.
South Padre Island Area, East 1078, 1097-1098, 1117-1119, A35-A36,
Addition (Leasing Map TX1A). A46-A52, A59-A64.
West Cameron Area (Leasing Map 188-190, 195-196, 205-213, 224-230,
LA1). 241-245, 256.
West Cameron Area, West Addition 302-303, 314-318, 328-334, 343-352,
(Leasing Map LA1A). 359-360, 362-364, 372-379, 393-396,
398-400.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whole and Partial BOEM-designated Significant Sediment
Resource Area Blocks:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM protraction area Blocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bay Marchand Area (Leasing Map 2-5.
LA6C).
Breton Sound Area (Leasing Map 24, 25, 39, 41-44, 53-56.
LA10B).
Chandeleur Area (Leasing Map LA11) 1, 4, 5, 8, 16, 28, 30-34.
Eugene Island Area (Leasing Map 10, 18-35, 37-96, 111, 112.
LA4).
Galveston Area (Leasing Map TX6).. 265, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 322.
Galveston Area, South Addition 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A.
(Leasing Map TX6A).
Grand Isle Area (Leasing Map LA7). 15, 25.
High Island Area (Leasing Map TX7) 19-21, 35-39, 45-49, 60-65, 69-76,
83-91, 111-119, 131-137, 158-164,
171-175, 196-205, 230-234, 261-264,
292, A6-A10, A16-A22, A37-A42, A60-
A65.
High Island Area, East Addition 6, 10, 38-42, 45, 46, 60-65, 74-76,
(Leasing Map TX7A). 83, 84, 85.
Mobile (Leasing Map NH 16-04)..... 765-767, 778, 779, 809-824, 826-830,
853-874, 897-918, 942, 946, 947,
954-962, 991, 999-1006.
Main Pass Area (Leasing Map LA10). 6, 39-44, 58-60, 86-90, 92-120, 125-
129, 139.
Main Pass, South and East Addition 161, 162, 180, 181.
(Leasing Map LA10A).
South Pelto Area (Leasing Map 1-20, 23-25.
LA6B).
Sabine Pass Area (LA) (Leasing Map 8-16.
LA12).
South Marsh Island Area, North 207-237, 241-249, 259-261, 267, 268.
Addition (Leasing Map LA3D).
Ship Shoal Area (Leasing Map LA5). 24-26, 37, 38, 63-75, 84-100, 107-
114, 119, 120.
South Timbalier Area (Leasing Map 9-11, 16-18, 34, 51, 52, 54, 55, 66,
LA6). 67, 72.
Sabine Pass Area (TX) (Leasing Map 9, 17, 18, 40, 44.
TX8).
Viosca Knoll (Leasing Map NH 16- 23, 34-38, 67, 78-82, 111, 155.
07).
Vermilion Area (Leasing Map LA3).. 11, 30, 49, 51-54, 68-77, 86-96, 108-
111.
West Cameron Area (Leasing Map 20-22, 41-45, 56-60, 78-83, 90-95,
LA1). 113-118, 128-134, 146-150, 153-157,
160, 161, 162, 168-172, 181.
West Cameron Area, West Addition 154-157, 160-162, 287.
(Leasing Map LA1A).
[[Page 12408]]
West Delta Area (Leasing Map LA8). 20-31, 32, 43-50, 56-61.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final list of blocks available for bid is posted on BOEM's
website at https://www.boem.gov/sale-259 under the Final NOS tab.
II. Statutes and Regulations
The Inflation Reduction Act directs BOEM to hold GOM Lease Sale 259
by March 31, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-169). Each lease is issued pursuant to
OCSLA, 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as amended, and is subject to OCSLA
implementing regulations promulgated pursuant thereto in 30 CFR part
556, and other applicable statutes and regulations in existence upon
the effective date of the lease, as well as those applicable statutes
enacted and regulations promulgated thereafter, except to the extent
that the after-enacted statutes and regulations explicitly conflict
with an express provision of the lease. Each lease is subject to
amendments to statutes and regulations, including but not limited to
OCSLA, that do not explicitly conflict with an express provision of the
lease. The lessee expressly bears the risk that such new or amended
statutes and regulations (i.e., those that do not explicitly conflict
with an express provision of the lease) may increase or decrease the
lessee's obligations under the lease. BOEM reserves the right to reject
any and all bids received, regardless of the amount offered (see 30 CFR
556.516).
III. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions
OCS Lease Form
BOEM will use Form BOEM-2005 (February 2017) to convey leases
resulting from this sale. This lease form can be viewed on BOEM's
website at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2005. The lease form will be
amended to include specific terms, conditions, and stipulations
applicable to the individual lease. The final terms, conditions, and
stipulations applicable to this sale are below.
Primary Terms
Primary terms are summarized in the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water depth (meters) Primary term
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to <400......................... The primary term is 5 years; the
lessee may earn an additional 3
years (i.e., for an 8-year extended
primary term) if a well is spudded
targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000
feet True Vertical Depth Subsea
(TVDSS) during the first 5 years of
the lease.
400 to <800....................... The primary term is 5 years; the
lessee will earn an additional 3
years (i.e., for an 8-year extended
primary term) if a well is spudded
during the first 5 years of the
lease.
800+.............................. 10 years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The primary term for a lease in water depths less than 400
meters issued as a result of this sale is 5 years. If the lessee spuds
a well targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVDSS within the first
5 years of the lease, then the lessee may earn an additional 3 years,
resulting in an 8-year primary term. The lessee will earn the 8-year
primary term when the well is drilled to a target below 25,000 feet
TVDSS; or, the lessee may earn the 8-year primary term in cases where
the well targets, but does not reach, a depth below 25,000 feet TVDSS
due to mechanical or safety reasons that are beyond the lessee's
control, and that are supported by sufficient evidence from the lessee.
To earn the 8-year primary term, the lessee is required to submit a
letter to the BOEM GOM Regional Supervisor, Office of Leasing and
Plans, as soon as practicable, but no more than 30 days after
completion of the drilling operation, providing the well number, spud
date, information demonstrating a target below 25,000 feet TVDSS and
whether that target was reached, and if applicable, any safety or
mechanical reasons encountered that prevented the well from reaching a
depth below 25,000 feet TVDSS. In the letter, the lessee must request
confirmation from BOEM that the lessee earned the 8-year primary term.
The BOEM GOM Regional Supervisor for Leasing and Plans will confirm in
writing, within 30 days of receiving the lessee's letter, whether the
lessee has earned the extended primary term and accordingly update
BOEM's records. The extended primary term is not effective unless and
until the lessee receives confirmation from BOEM. A lessee that has
earned the 8-year primary term by spudding a well with a hydrocarbon
target below 25,000 feet TVDSS during the standard 5-year primary term
of the lease will not be granted a suspension for that same period
under the regulations at 30 CFR 250.175 because the lease is not at
risk of expiring.
(2) The primary term for a lease in water depths ranging from 400
to less than 800 meters issued as a result of this sale is 5 years. If
the lessee spuds a well within the 5-year primary term of the lease,
the lessee may earn an additional 3 years, resulting in an 8-year
primary term. To earn the 8-year primary term, the lessee is required
to submit a letter to the BOEM GOM Regional Supervisor, Office of
Leasing and Plans, as soon as practicable, but no more than 30 days
after spudding a well, providing the well number and spud date, and
requesting confirmation from BOEM that the lessee earned the 8-year
extended primary term. Within 30 days of receipt of the request, the
BOEM GOM Regional Supervisor for Leasing and Plans will provide written
confirmation of whether the lessee has earned the extended primary term
and accordingly update BOEM's records. The extended primary term is not
effective unless and until the lessee receives confirmation from BOEM.
(3) The primary term for a lease in water depths 800 meters or
deeper issued as a result of this sale is 10 years.
Minimum Bonus Bid Amounts
BOEM will not accept a bonus bid unless it provides for a cash
bonus in an amount equal to or exceeding the specified minimum bid, as
described below.
$25 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water
depths less than 400 meters; and
$100 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water
depths 400 meters or deeper.
[[Page 12409]]
Rental Rates
Annual rental rates per acre or fraction thereof are summarized in
the following table:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water depth (meters) Years 1-5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8+
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to <200....................................... $10 $20 $30 $40
200 to <400..................................... 16 32 48 64
400+............................................ 16 22 22 22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Escalating Rental Rates for Leases With an 8-Year Primary Term in Water
Depths Less Than 400 Meters
Any lessee with a lease in less than 400 meters water depth who
earns an 8-year primary term will pay an escalating rental rate as
shown above. The rental rates after the fifth year for blocks in less
than 400 meters water depth will become fixed and no longer escalate if
another well is spudded targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVDSS
after the fifth year of the lease, and BOEM concurs that such a well
has been spudded. In this case, the rental rate will become fixed at
the rental rate in effect during the lease year in which the additional
well was spudded.
Royalty Rate
18\3/4\ percent for all leases.
Minimum Royalty Rate
$10 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in
water depths less than 200 meters; and
$16 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in
water depths 200 meters or deeper.
Royalty Suspension Provisions
The issuance of leases with Royalty Suspension Volumes (RSVs) or
other forms of royalty relief is authorized under existing Departmental
regulations at 30 CFR part 560, which BOEM administers. The specific
details relating to eligibility and implementation of the various
royalty relief programs, including those involving the use of RSVs, are
found in the Departmental regulations at 30 CFR part 203, which the
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement administers. In this
sale, the only royalty relief program being offered involves RSVs for
the drilling of ultra-deep wells in water depths of less than 400
meters, as described in the following section.
Royalty Suspension Volumes on Gas Production From Ultra-Deep Wells
Pursuant to 30 CFR part 203, certain leases issued as a result of
this sale may be eligible for RSV incentives on gas produced from
ultra-deep wells. Under this program, wells on leases in less than 400
meters water depth and completed to a drilling depth of 20,000 feet
TVDSS or deeper receive an RSV of 35 billion cubic feet on the
production of natural gas. This RSV incentive is subject to applicable
price thresholds set forth in the regulations at 30 CFR part 203. These
regulations implement the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(Pub. L. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594 (2005)).
IV. Lease Stipulations
One or more of the stipulations below may be applied to leases
issued as a result of this sale. The applicable blocks for each
stipulation are identified on the map ``Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259, March 2023, Stipulations and
Deferred Blocks'' included in the Final NOS package. The full text of
the following stipulations is contained in the ``Lease Stipulations''
section of the Final NOS package. BOEM has posted the final list of
blocks available for bid and the applicable stipulations that apply to
those blocks on its website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259 under the
Final NOS tab.
(1) Military Areas
(2) Evacuation
(3) Coordination
(4) Protected Species
(5) United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Royalty Payment
(6) Agreement between the United States of America and the United
Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the
Gulf of Mexico
(7) Restrictions due to Rights-of-Use and Easement for Floating
Production Facilities
(8) Royalties on All Produced Gas
V. Information to Lessees
Information to Lessees (ITLs) provide detailed information on
certain issues pertaining to specific oil and gas lease sales. The full
text of the ITLs for this sale is contained in the ``Information to
Lessees'' section of the Final NOS package and covers the following
topics.
(1) Navigation Safety
(2) Ordnance Disposal Areas
(3) Existing and Proposed Artificial Reefs/Rigs-to-Reefs
(4) Lightering Zones
(5) Indicated Hydrocarbons List
(6) Military Areas
(7) Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Inspection and
Enforcement of Certain U.S. Coast Guard Regulations
(8) Significant Outer Continental Shelf Sediment Resource Areas
(9) Notice of Arrival on the Outer Continental Shelf
(10) Bidder/Lessee Notice of Obligations Related to Criminal/Civil
Charges and Offenses, Suspension, or Debarment; Disqualification Due to
a Conviction under the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act
(11) Protected Species
(12) Expansion of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(13) Communication Towers
(14) Deepwater Port Applications for Offshore Oil and Liquefied Natural
Gas Facilities
(15) Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites
(16) Rights-of-Use and Easement
(17) Industrial Waste Disposal Areas
(18) Gulf Islands National Seashore
(19) Air Quality Permit/Plan Approvals
(20) Provisions Pertaining to Certain Transactions by Foreign Persons
Involving Real Estate in the United States
(21) Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
VI. Maps
The maps pertaining to this lease sale can be viewed on BOEM's
website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259. The following maps also are
included in the Final NOS package:
Sale Area Map
The sale area is shown on the map entitled, ``Final Notice of Sale,
Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259, March 2023, Final Sale
Area.''
Lease Terms and Economic Conditions Map
The lease terms and economic conditions associated with leases of
[[Page 12410]]
certain blocks are shown on the map entitled, ``Final Notice of Sale,
Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259, March 2023, Lease Terms and
Economic Conditions.''
Stipulations and Deferred Blocks Map
The lease stipulations and the blocks to which they apply are shown
on the map entitled, ``Final Notice of Sale, Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and
Gas Lease Sale 259, March 2023, Stipulations and Deferred Blocks.''
VII. Bidding Instructions
Bids may be submitted BY MAIL ONLY through any parcel delivery
service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL) at the address below in the
``Mailed Bids'' section. Bidders should be aware that BOEM has
eliminated in-person bidding for GOM Lease Sale 259. Instructions on
how to submit a bid, secure payment of the advance bonus bid deposit
(if applicable), and the information to be included with the bid are as
follows:
Bid Form
For each block bid upon, a separate sealed bid must be submitted in
a sealed envelope (as described below) and include the following items:
Total amount of the bid in whole dollars only;
Sale number;
Sale date;
Each bidder's exact name;
Each bidder's proportionate interest, stated as a
percentage, using a maximum of five decimal places (e.g., 33.33333
percent);
Typed name and title, and signature of each bidder's
authorized officer. Electronic signatures are acceptable. The typed
name, title, and signature must agree exactly with the name and title
on file in the BOEM Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Adjudication Section;
Each bidder's BOEM qualification number;
Map name and number or OPD name and number;
Block number; and
Statement acknowledging that the bidder(s) understands
that this bid legally binds the bidder(s) to comply with all applicable
regulations, including the requirement to post a deposit in the amount
of one-fifth of the bonus bid amount for any tract bid upon and make
payment of the balance of the bonus bid and first year's rental upon
BOEM's acceptance of high bids.
The information required for each bid is specified in the document
``Bid Form'' that is available in the Final NOS package, which can be
found at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/. A blank bid form is provided in
the Final NOS package for convenience and can be copied and completed
with the necessary information described above.
Bid Envelope
Each bid must be submitted in a separate sealed envelope labeled as
follows:
``Sealed Bid for GOM Lease Sale 259, not to be opened
until 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023'';
Map name and number or OPD name and number;
Block number for block bid upon;
Acreage, if the bid is for a block that is split between
the Central and Eastern Planning Areas;
The exact name and qualification number of the submitting
bidder only.
The Final NOS package includes a sample bid envelope for reference.
Mailed Bids
Please address the envelope containing the sealed bid envelope(s)
as follows: Attention: Leasing and Financial Responsibility Section,
BOEM New Orleans Office, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard MS-266A, New
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, Contains Sealed Bids for GOM Lease Sale
259, Please Deliver to Mr. Greg Purvis, 2nd Floor, Immediately.
Please Note: Bidders are advised to inform BOEM by email at
[email protected] immediately after placing bid(s) in the
mail. This provides advance notice to BOEM regarding pending bids prior
to the bid submission deadline. In the email, please state the tracking
number of the bid package, the number of bids being submitted, and the
email address of the person who should receive the bid receipt for
signature. If BOEM receives bids later than the bid submission
deadline, the BOEM GOM Regional Director (RD) will return those bids
unopened to bidders. Please see Section XI, ``Delay of Sale,''
regarding BOEM's discretion to extend the Bid Submission Deadline in
the case of an unexpected event (e.g., flooding) and how bidders can
obtain more information on such extensions.
Advance Bonus Bid Deposit Guarantee
Bidders that are not currently an OCS oil and gas lease record
title holder or designated operator, or those that have ever defaulted
on a one-fifth bonus bid deposit, must guarantee (secure) the payment
of the one-fifth bonus bid deposit, by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
or otherwise, prior to bid submission using one of the following four
methods:
Provide a third-party guarantee;
Amend a development stage area-wide bond via bond rider;
Provide a letter of credit; or
Provide a lump sum payment in advance via EFT.
Please provide, at the time of bid submittal, a confirmation or
tracking number for the payment, the name of the company submitting the
payment as it appears on the payment, and the date the payment was
submitted so BOEM can confirm payment with the Office of Natural
Resources Revenue (ONRR). Submitting payment to the bidders' financial
institution at least 5 business days prior to bid submittal helps
ensure that the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S.
Department of the Treasury (U.S. Treasury) have the needed time to
screen and process payments so they are posted to ONRR prior to placing
the bid. ONRR cannot confirm payment until the monies have been moved
into settlement status by the U.S. Treasury. Bids will not be accepted
if BOEM cannot confirm payment with ONRR.
If providing a third-party guarantee, amending a development stage
area-wide bond via bond rider, or providing a letter of credit to
secure your one-fifth bonus bid deposit, bidders are urged to file
these documents with BOEM well in advance of submitting the bid, to
allow processing time and for bidders to take any necessary curative
actions prior to bid submission. For more information on EFT
procedures, see Section X, ``The Lease Sale.''
Affirmative Action
Prior to bidding, each bidder should file the Equal Opportunity
Affirmative Action Representation Form BOEM-2032 (February 2020,
available on BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2032/) and
Equal Opportunity Compliance Report Certification Form BOEM-2033
(February 2020, available on BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2033/) with the BOEM GOM Adjudication Section. This certification
is required by 41 CFR part 60 and Executive Order (E.O.) 11246, issued
September 24, 1965, as amended by E.O. 11375, issued October 13, 1967,
and by E.O. 13672, issued July 21, 2014. Both forms must be on file for
the bidder(s) in the GOM Adjudication Section prior to the execution of
any lease contract.
Geophysical Data and Information Statement (GDIS)
The GDIS is composed of three parts:
(1) A ``Statement'' page that includes the company representatives'
information and separate lists of blocks bid on that used proprietary
data and those blocks bid upon that did not use proprietary data;
[[Page 12411]]
(2) A ``Table'' listing the required data about each proprietary
survey used (see below); and
(3) ``Maps,'' which contain the live trace maps for each
proprietary survey that is identified in the GDIS statement and table.
Every bidder submitting a bid on a block in GOM Lease Sale 259 or
participating as a joint bidder in such a bid must submit at the time
of bid submission all three parts of the GDIS. A bidder must submit the
GDIS even if a joint bidder or bidders on a specific block also have
submitted a GDIS. Any speculative data that has been reprocessed
externally or ``in-house'' is considered proprietary due to the
proprietary processing and is no longer considered to be speculative.
The bidder and joint bidder must submit the GDIS in a separate and
sealed envelope and must identify all proprietary data; reprocessed
speculative data, and/or any Controlled Source Electromagnetic surveys,
Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) data, gravity data, and/or magnetic data;
or other information used as part of the decision to bid or participate
in a bid on the block. The bidder and joint bidder must also include a
live trace map (e.g., .pdf and ArcGIS shapefile) for each proprietary
survey identified in the GDIS illustrating the actual areal extent of
the proprietary geophysical data in the survey (see the ``Example of
Preferred Format'' that is included in the Final NOS package for
additional information). The shape file must not include cultural
resources information; only the live trace map of the survey itself.
The GDIS statement must include the name, phone number, and full
address for a contact person and an alternate who are both
knowledgeable about the geophysical information and data listed and who
are available for 30 days after the sale date. The GDIS statement must
also include a list of all blocks bid upon, including those blocks
where no proprietary or reprocessed geophysical data and/or proprietary
information was used, as a basis for the bidder's decision to bid or to
participate as a joint bidder in the bid. All bidders must submit the
GDIS statement even if no proprietary geophysical data or information
was used in its bid preparation for the block.
An example of the preferred format of the table is included in the
Final NOS package, and a blank digital version of the preferred table
can be accessed on the GOM Lease Sale 259 website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/. The GDIS table should have columns that clearly
state the following:
The sale number;
The bidder company's name;
The joint bidder's company's name (if applicable);
The company providing proprietary data to BOEM;
The block area and block number bid upon;
The owner of the original data set (i.e., who initially
acquired the data);
The industry's original name of the survey (e.g., E
Octopus);
The BOEM permit number for the survey;
Whether the data set is a fast-track version;
Whether the data is speculative or proprietary;
The data type (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, or 4-D; pre-stack or post-
stack; time or depth);
The migration algorithm (e.g., Kirchhoff migration, wave
equation migration, reverse migration, reverse time migration) of the
data and areal extent of bidder survey (i.e., number of line miles for
2-D or number of blocks for 3-D);
The live proprietary survey coverage (2-D miles 3-D
blocks);
The computer storage size, to the nearest gigabyte, of
each seismic data and velocity volume used to evaluate the lease block;
Who reprocessed the data;
Date the final reprocessing was completed (month and
year);
If the data was previously sent to BOEM, list the sale
number and date of the sale for which it was used;
Whether proprietary or speculative AVO/AVA (PROP/SPEC) was
used;
Date AVO or AVA was sent to BOEM if sent prior to the
sale;
Whether AVO/AVA is time or depth (PSTM or PSDM);
Which angled stacks were used (e.g., NEAR, MID, FAR,
ULTRAFAR);
Whether the company used Gathers to evaluate the block in
question; and
Whether the company used Vector Offset Output (VOO) or
Vector Image Partitions (VIP) to evaluate the block in question.
BOEM will use the computer storage size information to estimate the
reproduction costs for each data set, if applicable. BOEM will
determine the availability of reimbursement of production costs
consistent with 30 CFR 551.13.
BOEM reserves the right to inquire about alternate data sets, to
perform quality checks, and to compare the listed and alternative data
sets to determine which data set most closely meets the needs of the
fair market value determination process. See the ``Example of Preferred
Format'' that is included in the Final NOS package.
The GDIS maps are live trace maps (e.g., .pdf and ArcGIS
shapefiles) that bidders should submit for each proprietary survey
identified in the GDIS table. The maps should illustrate the actual
areal extent of the proprietary geophysical data in the survey (see the
``Example of Preferred Format'' that is included in the Final NOS
package for additional information). As previously stated, the
shapefile must not include cultural resources information, only the
live trace map of the survey itself.
Pursuant to 30 CFR 551.12 and 556.501, as a condition of the sale,
the BOEM GOM Regional Director requests that all bidders and joint
bidders submit the proprietary data identified on their GDIS within 30
days after the lease sale (unless notified after the lease sale that
BOEM has withdrawn the request). This request only pertains to
proprietary data that is not commercially available. Commercially
available data should not be submitted to BOEM unless specifically
requested by BOEM. No reimbursement will be provided for unsolicited
data sent to BOEM. The BOEM GOM RD will notify bidders and joint
bidders of any withdrawal of the request, for all or some of the
proprietary data identified on the GDIS, within 15 calendar days of the
lease sale. Where the BOEM GOM RD has notified bidders and joint
bidders that the request for such proprietary data has been withdrawn,
reimbursement will not be provided. Pursuant to 30 CFR part 551 and 30
CFR 556.501, as a condition of this sale, all bidders that are required
to submit data must ensure that the data are received by BOEM no later
than the 30th day following the lease sale, or the next business day if
the submission deadline falls on a weekend or Federal holiday.
The data must be submitted to BOEM at the following address: Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, Resource Studies, GM 881A, 1201 Elmwood
Park Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2304.
BOEM recommends that bidders mark the submission's external
envelope as ``Deliver Immediately to DASPU.'' BOEM also recommends that
bidders submit the data in an internal envelope, or otherwise marked,
with the following designation: ``Geophysical Data and Information
Statement for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 259'', Company Name, GOM Company
Qualification Number, and ``Proprietary Data.''
In the event a person supplies any type of data to BOEM, that
person must meet the following requirements to qualify for
reimbursement:
(1) Must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM),
formerly
[[Page 12412]]
known as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). CCR usernames will
not work in SAM. A new SAM user account is needed to register or update
an entity's records. The website for registering is gsa.gov/iaesystems.
(2) Must be enrolled in the U.S. Treasury's Invoice Processing
Platform (IPP) for electronic invoicing; to enroll go to https://www.ipp.gov/. Access then will be granted to use the IPP for submitting
requests for payment. When submitting a request for payment, the
assigned Purchase Order Number must be included.
(3) Must have a current On-line Representations and Certifications
Application at gsa.gov/iaesystems.
Please Note: Digital copies and duplicate hardcopies should be
submitted for the GDIS Statement, Table and Maps. The GDIS Statement
should be sent in as a digital PDF. The GDIS Information Table must be
submitted digitally as an Excel spreadsheet. The Proprietary Maps
should be sent in as PDF files and the live trace outline of each
proprietary survey should also be submitted as a shapefile. Please
flatten all layered PDF files, since layered PDFs can have many
objects. Layered PDFs can cause problems opening or printing the file
correctly. Bidders may submit the digital files on a CD, DVD, or any
USB external drive (formatted for Windows). If bidders have any
questions, please contact Ms. Dee Smith at (504) 736-2706, or Ms. Teree
Campbell at (504) 736-3231.
Bidders should refer to Section X, ``The Lease Sale,'' regarding a
bidder's failure to comply with the requirements of the NOS, including
any failure to submit information required in the Final NOS package.
Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders
BOEM requests that bidders provide this information in the
suggested format prior to or at the time of bid submission. The
suggested format is included in the Final NOS package. The form must
not be enclosed inside the sealed bid envelope.
Additional Documentation
BOEM may require bidders to submit other documents in accordance
with 30 CFR 556.107, 556.401, 556.501, and 556.513.
VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions
Restricted Joint Bidders
On October 18, 2022, BOEM published the most recent List of
Restricted Joint Bidders in the Federal Register at 87 FR 65248.
Potential bidders are advised to refer to the Federal Register prior to
bidding for the most current List of Restricted Joint Bidders in place
at the time of the lease sale. Please refer to the joint bidding
provisions at 30 CFR 556.511-556.515.
Authorized Signatures
All signatories executing documents on behalf of the bidder(s) must
execute the same in conformance with the BOEM qualification records.
Bidders are advised that BOEM considers the signed bid to be a legally
binding obligation on the part of the bidder(s) to comply with all
applicable regulations, including that requiring payment of one-fifth
of the bonus bid on all high bids. A statement to this effect is
included on each bid form (see the document ``Bid Form'' that is
included in the Final NOS package).
Unlawful Combination or Intimidation
BOEM warns bidders against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860, which
prohibits unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders.
Bid Withdrawal
Bids may be withdrawn only by written request delivered to BOEM
prior to the bid submission deadline via any parcel delivery service.
Withdrawals will not be accepted in person or via email. The withdrawal
request must be on company letterhead and must contain the bidder's
name, its BOEM qualification number, the map name/number, and the block
number(s) of the bid(s) to be withdrawn. The withdrawal request must be
executed by one or more of the representatives named in the BOEM
qualification records. The name and title of the authorized signatory
must be typed under the signature block on the withdrawal request. The
BOEM GOM RD, or the RD's designee, will indicate approval by signing
and dating the withdrawal request.
Bid Rounding
Minimum bonus bid calculations, including rounding, for all blocks
are shown in the document ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' that
is included in the Final NOS package. The bonus bid amount must be
stated in whole dollars. If the acreage of a block contains a decimal
figure, then prior to calculating the minimum bonus bid, BOEM will
round up to the next whole acre. The appropriate minimum rate per acre
will be applied to the whole (rounded up) acreage. The bonus bid amount
must be greater than or equal to the minimum bonus bid, as calculated
and stated in the Final NOS package.
IX. Forms
The Final NOS package includes instructions, samples, and/or the
preferred format for the items listed below. BOEM strongly encourages
bidders to use the recommended formats. If bidders use another format,
they are responsible for including all the information specified for
each item in the Final NOS package.
(1) Bid Form
(2) Sample Completed Bid
(3) Sample Bid Envelope
(4) Sample Bid Mailing Envelope
(5) Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders Form
(6) GDIS Form
(7) GDIS Envelope Form
X. The Lease Sale
Bid Opening and Reading
Sealed bids received in response to the Final NOS will be opened at
the place, date, and hour specified under the DATES and ADDRESSES
sections of the Final NOS. The venue will not be open to the public.
Instead, the bid opening will be available for the public to view on
BOEM's website at www.boem.gov via live streaming. The opening of the
bids is for the sole purpose of publicly announcing and recording the
bids received; no bids will be accepted or rejected at that time.
Bonus Bid Deposit for Apparent High Bids
Each bidder submitting an apparent high bid must submit a bonus bid
deposit to ONRR equal to one-fifth of the bonus bid amount for each
such bid. A copy of the notification of the high bidder's one-fifth
bonus bid amount can be obtained on the BOEM website at https://www.boem.gov/Sale-259/ under the heading ``Notification of EFT \1/5\
Bonus Liability'' after 1:00 p.m. on the day of the sale. All payments
must be electronically deposited into an interest-bearing account in
the U.S. Treasury by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time the day following the bid
reading (no exceptions). Account information is provided in the
``Instructions for Making Electronic Funds Transfer Bonus Payments''
found on the BOEM website identified above.
Submitting payment to your financial institution as soon as
possible on the day of bid reading, but no later than 7:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on the day of bid reading, will help ensure that deposits have
time to process through the U.S. Treasury and post to ONRR. ONRR cannot
confirm payment until the monies have been moved into settlement status
by the U.S. Treasury.
[[Page 12413]]
BOEM requires bidders to use EFT procedures for payment of one-
fifth bonus bid deposits for GOM Lease Sale 259, following the detailed
instructions contained on the ONRR Payment Information web page at
https://www.onrr.gov/ReportPay/payments.htm. Acceptance of a deposit
does not constitute, and will not be construed as, acceptance of any
bid on behalf of the United States.
Withdrawal of Blocks
The United States reserves the right to withdraw any block from
this lease sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid for
the block.
Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids
The United States reserves the right to reject any and all bids,
regardless of the amount offered. Furthermore, no bid will be accepted,
and no lease for any block will be awarded to any bidder, unless:
(1) The bidder has complied with all applicable regulations and
requirements of the Final NOS, including those set forth in the
documents contained in the Final NOS package;
(2) The bid is the highest valid bid; and
(3) The amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate by the
authorized officer.
Any bid submitted that does not conform to the requirements of the
Final NOS and Final NOS package, OCSLA, or other applicable statutes or
regulations will be rejected and returned to the bidder. The U.S.
Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission will review the
results of the lease sale for any antitrust issues prior to the
acceptance of bids and issuance of leases.
Bid Adequacy Review Procedures for GOM Lease Sale 259
To ensure that the U.S. Government receives fair market value for
the conveyance of leases from this sale, BOEM will evaluate high bids
in accordance with the bid adequacy procedures that are effective on
the date of the sale. The bid adequacy procedures are available on
BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/Regional-Leasing/Gulf-of-Mexico-Region/Bid-Adequacy-Procedures.aspx.
Lease Award
Leases issued as a result of GOM Lease Sale 259 are expressly
limited to oil and gas exploration and development. As noted in section
19 of the lease form, all rights in the leased area not expressly
granted to the Lessee by the Act, the regulations, or this lease are
hereby reserved to the Lessor.
BOEM requires each bidder that is awarded a lease to complete the
following:
(1) Execute all copies of the lease (Form BOEM-2005 [February
2017], as amended);
(2) Pay by EFT the balance of the bonus bid amount and the first
year's rental for each lease issued in accordance with the requirements
of 30 CFR 1218.155 and 556.520(a); and
(3) Satisfy the bonding requirements of 30 CFR part 556, subpart I,
as amended. ONRR requests that bidders use only one transaction for
payment of the balance of the bonus bid amount and the first year's
rental. Once ONRR receives such payment, the bidder awarded the lease
may not request a refund of the balance of the bonus bid amount or
first year's rental payment.
XI. Delay of Sale
The BOEM GOM RD has the discretion to change any date, time, and/or
location specified in the Final NOS package in the case of an event
that the BOEM GOM RD deems could interfere with a fair and orderly
lease sale process. Such events could include, but are not limited to,
natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods), wars, riots,
acts of terrorism, fires, strikes, civil disorder, or other events of a
similar nature. In case of such events, bidders should call (504) 736-
0557, or access the BOEM website at https://www.boem.gov, for
information regarding any changes.
Elizabeth Klein,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2023-03973 Filed 2-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P
