The U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Oct.29 said it will analyze the climate impacts of proposed oil and gas lease sales that have been scheduled for early 2022 and seek public feedback.
The BLM, which manages 245 million acres of public land in 12 western states, said its state offices will issue, for the first time, environmental assessments that factor in the social cost of greenhouse gases associated with the development of those acres.
These reports could lead to some leases being removed from consideration or deferred depending on the public comments received.
“The BLM is committed to responsible development on public lands, including ensuring that our environmental reviews consider the climate impacts of energy development on lands and communities,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, who was recently confirmed by the Senate.
The agency will issue the environmental assessments for Colorado, Eastern States, Montana and the Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming in the coming days.
During the administration of former President Donald Trump, the BLM did not weigh the greenhouse gas emissions impacts of proposed lease sales, leading environmental groups to launch lawsuits that halted some lease sales.
Recommended Reading
Rystad: More Deepwater Wells to be Drilled in 2024
2024-02-29 - Upstream majors dive into deeper and frontier waters while exploration budgets for 2024 remain flat.
E&P Highlights: April 29, 2024
2024-04-29 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including a new contract award and drilling technology.
Rhino Taps Halliburton for Namibia Well Work
2024-04-24 - Halliburton’s deepwater integrated multi-well construction contract for a block in the Orange Basin starts later this year.
E&P Highlights: April 1, 2024
2024-04-01 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including new contract awards.
E&P Highlights: March 11, 2024
2024-03-11 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including a new bid round offshore Bangladesh and new contract awards.