[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 219 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58975-58976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27489]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale (NOS) for 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 213 in the Central 
Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the proposed NOS for proposed Sale 
213.

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SUMMARY: The MMS announces the availability of the proposed NOS for 
proposed Sale 213 in the CPA. This Notice is published pursuant to 30 
CFR 256.29(c) as a matter of information to the public. With regard to 
oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the Interior, pursuant 
to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act, provides the affected states the 
opportunity to review the proposed Notice. The proposed Notice sets 
forth the proposed terms and conditions of the sale, including minimum 
bids, royalty rates, and rentals.

DATES: Comments on the size, timing, or location of proposed Sale 213 
are due from the affected states within 60 days following their receipt 
of the proposed Notice. The final NOS will be published in the Federal 
Register at least 30 days prior to the date of bid opening. Bid opening 
is currently scheduled for March 17, 2010.
    Please address any comments or questions related to the proposed 
changes to the lease terms as presented below to Dr. Marshall Rose, 
MMS, Chief, Economics Division, at (703) 787-1536 or 
[email protected] within 30 days.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMS will use the recently revised Form 
MMS-2005 (October 2009) to convey leases. The form is available on the 
Internet at http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/mmsforms/FormMMS-2005.pdf.
    The proposed NOS for Sale 213 and a ``Proposed Notice of Sale 
Package'' containing information essential to potential bidders may be 
obtained from the Public Information Unit, Gulf of Mexico Region, 
Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394, Telephone: (504) 736-2519.
    The MMS is accepting comments on the proposed revisions of the 
initial lease terms for blocks in water depths of 400 to less than 800 
meters and 800 meters to less than 1600 meters. The proposed 5+3 term 
in 400 to less than 800 meters supersedes and replaces the previous 8-
year lease term provisions for these water depths as provided by 
regulations at 30 CFR 256.37(a)(3) where commencement of an exploratory 
well is required within the first 5 years of the initial 8-year term to 
avoid lease cancellation. The 10-year initial lease term in 800 to less 
than 1600 meters is proposed to be changed to a 7-year initial lease 
term (commencement of an exploratory well within the initial

[[Page 58976]]

primary lease term would extend the lease term to 10 years). Please 
address any comments or questions related to this matter to Dr. 
Marshall Rose, MMS, Chief, Economics Division, at (703) 787-1536 or 
[email protected] within 30 days.

    Dated: October 30, 2009.
S. Elizabeth Birnbaum,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
[FR Doc. E9-27489 Filed 11-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P