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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-NV-L060-2025-0016-EA
Project Name: March 2026 Oil and Gas Lease Sale

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-NV-L060-2025-0016-EA
Project Name

March 2026 Oil and Gas Lease Sale
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

Bristlecone Field Office
Last Updated

3/30/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received Expressions of Interest on 11 parcels comprised approximately of 19,957.15 acres of federal minerals administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Nevada. 

Standard terms and conditions as well as lease stipulations listed in the BLM Ely Resource Management Plan(s) (as amended) and any relevant Surface Management Agency stipulations per SMA Lease Stipulations for Federal Oil and Gas Lease Offerings would apply.

Once sold, the lease purchaser has the exclusive right to use as much of the leased lands as is necessary to explore and drill oil and gas within the lease boundaries, subject to the stipulations attached to the lease (43 CFR 3101.12). 

 Oil and gas leases are issued for a 10-year period and continue for as long thereafter as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities. If a lessee fails to produce oil and gas, does not make annual rental payments, does not comply with the terms and conditions of the lease, or relinquishes the lease, exclusive right to develop the leasehold reverts to the federal government and the lease can be re-offered in another sale. Drilling of wells on a lease is not permitted until the lease owner or operator secures approval of a drilling permit and a surface use plan specified under Onshore Oil and Gas Orders listed in 43 CFR 3162. 
 
A permit to drill would not be authorized until site-specific NEPA analysis is conducted. Site specific mitigation measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be attached as Conditions of Approval (COAs) for each proposed exploration and development activity authorized on a lease.

BLM proposes to offer, and subsequently issue leases on the parcels on March 31, 2026.

What's New

No protests were received for the 2026 First Quarter Competitive Oil & Gas Lease Sale.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Tonopah	Nevada	89049	Nye County

Application Information

Program

Fluid Minerals (Oil & Gas, Tar Sands, Oil Shale)
Sub-Program

Oil & Gas

Project Dates

Start Date

7/31/2025
End Date

3/30/2026
FONSI Date

3/27/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Bristlecone Field Office
Offices

Bristlecone FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Stacy Holt
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(775) 289-1831

Contact 2 Name

Tiera Arbogast
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(661) 391-6000