ROCK SPRINGS (NME) — The Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office on Monday announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for Dec. 3, to offer eight oil and gas parcels totaling 4,641.95 acres in Wyoming.

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in May and had a public comment period that closed in August on the parcels, potential deferrals and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input opened Monday and will close Oct. 16.

The parcels the BLM has analyzed, as well as maps and instructions on how to submit a protest are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2031781/510.

The terms of federal fluid mineral leases will be consistent with the Fluid Minerals Leasing and Leasing Process Rule, which reflects Congressional direction from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including a 16.67% royalty rate for production on any new leases. Revenues are split between the state where the drilling occurs and the U.S. Treasury.

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for a permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.

All parcels leased for oil and gas lease include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources. Information on BLM leases is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.