Full Title: Oil and Gas Leasing: BLM Should Update Its Guidance and Review Its Fees
Author(s): U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Publisher(s): U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Publication Date: December 9, 2021
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
The Bureau of Land Management seeks to facilitate safe and responsible oil and gas development on federal lands while providing a fair return for the American people.
There have been several changes to the Bureau’s oil and gas leasing process since it was established in 1987, but guidance and related fees haven’t kept pace with those changes. For example, lease application fees were intended to cover the costs of administering the process—but the Bureau hasn’t fully reviewed its application fees and the costs they cover since 2005.
Our recommendations are to help the Bureau update its oil and gas leasing guidance and examine its fees and costs.