BLM’s Revised Oil and Gas Leasing Rule – What the Oil & Gas Industry Needs to Know, Part I

This presentation covers BLM's updated regulations for onshore oil and gas leases, the first major overhaul since 1988, issued in response to Executive Order No. 14,008. It details revised bond structures, increased minimum bond amounts, compliance periods for existing bonds, and new surface owner protection bonds. Lessees and operators must understand these changes to ensure compliance and maximize lease and permit durations.

Credit(s)

1

CO Approval ID

844053

Original Program Date

May 1, 2024

Duration

51 minutes

On April 12, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a final rule that comprehensively overhauls the agency's regulations governing the administration of onshore oil and gas leases – the first comprehensive revision since 1988. BLM issued the rule in response to the review of federal onshore oil and gas leasing that the Department of the Interior undertook in response to Executive Order No. 14,008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

The rule revises bonding requirements and increases minimum bond amounts. The rule also revises BLM's processes for issuing and administering onshore oil and gas leases. Lessees and operators of oil and gas leases must be aware of these revisions to ensure compliance with lease terms, that filings are timely and correct, and to maximize the durations of leases and applications for permits to drill.

Part I will provide an overview of the rule's components relating to bonds, including:

Revised bond structures and types
Revised minimum bond amounts
Compliance periods for existing bonds
New provisions relating to surface owner protection bonds

Video presentation from the Foundation's 2024 BLM Webinar series

Speakers

Credits

Materials

1 CLE Credit(s) – Approval ID: CO - 844115; OK - 140353; PA, NM

This course has been accredited for CLE credit in Colorado. CLE credit hours shown are for Colorado only. A CLE course number for Colorado will be provided to attendees on their certificates of attendance once a course has been completed. New Mexico attorneys who complete a course must notify us (cle@rmmlf.org) because we are required to report credits for you. If this course has been approved for RPL/CPL credit with the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), the credits will be listed below in a separate section for AAPL. If applicable, Component Codes for AAPL recertification will also be provided. Please contact RMMLF if you need independent verification by the provider of your attendance or participation for CLE purposes. Except as provided above, RMMLF generally does not apply for accreditation from any other MCLE/CPD organizations for its online legal education program. Upon completion of a program a certificate of attendance will be issued to all attendees. Except as provided above, attendees must verify with their respective state bars and CPD organizations and their specific rules as to whether or not the certificate of attendance will be recognized by that body for MCLE/CPD purposes, and the number of CLE/CPD credits that may be available. The live presentation of the on-demand program has been accredited in most mandatory states as part of a larger course, but such accreditation does not assure recognition of the on-demand program.

KATIE SCHRODER is a partner in the Natural Resources Department of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, where her practice focuses on all aspects of energy development on federal lands. Ms. Schroder counsels clients on oil and gas leasing and development on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies. She helps clients navigate agency compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. She has extensive experience with the Endangered Species Act, including the process for listing species as threatened or endangered, the process for obtaining permits under section 10 of the Act, and the development of conservation agreements for candidate species. She also advises on federal royalty issues.

NADA WOLFF CULVER is the Deputy Director of Policy and Programs for the BLM. Nada most recently served as the Vice President, Public Lands and Senior Policy Counsel at the National Audubon Society. Prior to joining Audubon, Nada was the Senior Counsel and Senior Director for Policy and Planning at The Wilderness Society. Nada began her career in the private sector, working on a variety of environmental issues including energy development and environmental remediation, and was a partner with the law firm of Patton Boggs. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

MALINDA MORAIN is a Shareholder at Beatty & Wozniak, P.C. in Denver, CO. She focuses her practice primarily on oil and gas litigation and federal lands. Malinda is a zealous industry advocate inside the courtroom and before administrative agencies. She regularly advocates for clients on matters related to natural resources development on public lands as well as environmental issues. Malinda also has experience with contract and land-use disputes, as well as royalty and payment of proceeds litigation. Malinda has extensive experience in state and federal courts and at the appellate level. She takes a thoughtful and efficient approach to litigation and has experience in complex, multi-party disputes and large-scale electronic discovery.