OFFICE OF MINERAL RESOURCES (OMR)
SPECIAL NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Notice Regarding the State Mineral and Energy Board Meeting and Lease Sale for May 11, 2022
The State Mineral and Energy Board will hold it's May 11, 2022 Board Meeting and Lease Sale in person at the LaSalle Office Building, LaBelle Hearing Room, 1st floor. The opening of bids will begin at 8:30 A.M. and the Board Meeting will commence at 9:30 A.M.
The Board Meeting and Lease Sale Agenda will be posted here when available.
Further information about the Board Meeting and Lease Sale can be found here.
OMR Announces Acreage Returned To Commerce April 18, 2022
The Office of Mineral Resources announced 5,336.461 acres have been released and returned back to commerce. This acreage is located in Assumption, Bossier, Cameron, Lincoln, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, and Union Parishes, and is now available for leasing by the public.
Please use the following link for more information:
LATEST RELEASE LIST
Notice Regarding the Royalty Reduction Program
The Royalty Reduction Program that was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its July 10, 2019 meeting and effective beginning with the leases granted at the December 2019 Lease Sale, has been amended and extended for leases granted through 2022. Resolutions regarding the Royalty Reduction Program are below.
Registration Reminder for all Applicants, Prospective and
Current Leaseholders of a State Mineral Lease
Anyone wanting to submit an application to nominate state owned lands or waterbottoms for mineral leasing or to submit a bid for a mineral lease, exclusive geophysical agreement, or wind lease given by the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board is required to register, and renew registration annually, with the Department of Natural Resources' Office of Mineral Resources (OMR) prior to submitting an application or bid. In accordance with LA Statute 30:123.1, all current and prospective leaseholders of the Office of Minerals must be registered and update their information each year during the month of January. Failure to register shall subject a required party to a penalty of $100 per day from January 31 until the date of registration. Please contact Angie Patterson at (225) 342-4519 or angela.patterson@la.gov for questions concerning registration.
Final CCS Operating Agreements
Operating Agreement - Capio Sequestration
Operating Agreement - Air Products Blue Energy
Special Notice Regarding Docket No. OOC-OMR-21-02; Capio Sequestration, LLC-Proposed Operating Agreement
From the Office of Mineral Resources, Department of Natural Resources; Docket No. OOC-OMR-21-02; Capio Sequestration, LLC – Proposed Operating Agreement in Ascension, St. John the Baptist, Iberville and St. Martin Parishes -
Final Operating Agreement - Capio Sequestration
Draft Operating Agreement - Capio Sequestration
Certificate of Inability to Meet in Person
Zoom Meeting Information for Public Hearing on October 4, 2021 @ 1:30 PM
Special Notice Regarding Docket No. OOC-OMR-21-01; Air Products Blue Energy LLC-Proposed Operating Agreement
From the Office of Mineral Resources, Department of Natural Resources; Docket No. OOC-OMR-21-01; Air Products Blue Energy LLC – Proposed Operating Agreement in Livingston, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, and Cameron Parishes -
Final Operating Agreement - Air Products Blue Energy
Draft Operating Agreement - Air Products Blue Energy
Text of proposed agreement (revised posting with correction)
Certificate of Inability to Meet in Person
Zoom Meeting Information for Public Hearing on October 4, 2021 @ 1:30 PM
Special State Mineral and Energy Board Meeting
Regarding Carbon Sequestration
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
The State Mineral and Energy Board held a special board meeting to discuss possible agreements for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Special documents pertaining to the board meeting can be viewed below:
Special State Mineral and Energy Board Meeting Agenda
Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide
Any questions regarding this matter, please contact Byron Miller of the Office of Mineral Resources at byron.miller@la.gov or 225-342-7121.
Notice Regarding Carbon Sequestration on State Owned Lands
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
The State, by and through the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board (the “Board”) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (“LDW&F”), has received inquiries from parties interested in obtaining rights necessary for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide on portions of certain state owned lands and water bottoms and on lands owned or managed by the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, situated in Ascension, Assumption, Cameron, Iberville, Jefferson, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana.
The purpose of this Notice is to ensure public awareness that the Board and LDW&F are currently considering entering into operating agreements in order to grant the rights necessary for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide as authorized pursuant to La. R.S. 30:209 for portions of the property described herein and to ensure that the State has the best opportunity of being apprised of any other interested parties seeking such storage rights prior to entering into any particular operating agreement in these areas.
Therefore, the Louisiana Office of Mineral Resources is requesting any party interested in obtaining rights necessary for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide in these areas, or any other area, to please contact Byron Miller of the Office of Mineral Resources at byron.miller@la.gov or 225-342-7121.
New 2019 State Lease Form
The Office of Mineral Resources is pleased to announce that the State Mineral and Energy Board approved a new State Lease Form at the October 9, 2019 Board Meeting. The new Lease Form will apply to all leases awarded beginning with the December 2019 Lease Sale.
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS REGARDING COVID-19
April 29, 2020
At the Special State Mineral and Energy Board Meeting held on April 29, 2020, the Board granted the following resolutions regarding COVID19 relief to Lessees:
History of the State Mineral Lease Form and a Discussion of the Proposed New Draft by Jamie S. Manuel
Presented at the 66th Mineral Law Institute Conference held on March 15, 2019
FORCE MAJEURE - May 1, 2022
Download: Force Majeure Memorandum - May 1, 2022
How to Report Force Majeure Online
MAY 1, 2022 For Informational Purposes -- No Action Is Required At This Time
Memorandum Regarding Force Majeure To State Lease Operators
The Office of Mineral Resources (OMR) wishes to remind our Lessees that the 2022 Hurricane Season begins June 1st. Please take a moment to review the State Mineral and Energy Board’s (Board) Force Majeure Policy. OMR’s “How-To” guide for reporting force majeure events can be accessed at the Department of Natural Resources website located at www.dnr.la.gov.
Please note:
- The Board requires lessees to report force majeure conditions that result in the shutting in of State Leases.
- The Board requires that this force majeure condition be reported in a timely manner, which is before the Lease would normally expire under its own terms.
- The Board requires that if a State Lease can be maintained by a payment (rental, shut-in, deferred development, etc.), then those payments should be made timely.
- All new requests for force majeure recognition should be submitted using the online force majeure reporting system. If unable to connect to the reporting system, please complete the excel spreadsheet and forward that via email. Links to the online reporting system and spreadsheet can be found in the “How to Report Force Majeure” section of OMR’s website.
- Upon receipt of a report, the OMR staff will provide additional instructions for any further information or actions required.
- All State Leases that do not include force majeure language may need to be amended to include the current force majeure language.
Finally, please review your hurricane preparedness and emergency evacuation plans to ensure they are up to date. Also, update and verify your emergency contact information of employees, support services, and government representatives.
If you have any questions concerning force majeure, please do not hesitate to contact Charles Bradbury directly at (225) 342-9199 or by email at Charles.Bradbury@la.gov.
Jamie S. Manuel, Assistant Secretary
Office of Mineral Resources, Department of Natural Resources
LEASING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN LOUISIANA
September 7, 2018
The Office of Mineral Resources encourages prospective oil and gas companies and industry to review the information provided below regarding leasing opportunities available in Louisiana:
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY
March 19, 2018
The Austin Chalk play in Louisiana has experienced a resurgence in drilling activity. The Office of Mineral Resources encourages prospective oil and gas companies and industry to review the information provided below:
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY MAIN PAGE
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY REPORT
PROSPECTIVE LEASEHOLDER REGISTRATION REMINDER
The Office of Mineral Resources would like to remind all applicants for prospective and current leaseholders of a State Mineral Lease to renew their registration ANNUALLY during the month of November.
Please use the following link for more information:
NOTICE TO ROYALTY PAYORS
Resolution #15-08-012 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its August 12, 2015 meeting. This Resolution affirms that upon satisfaction of all requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act, OMR Staff is directed to commence assessing to Payors a fee of Sixty-Five Dollars ($65.00) per hour to recoup the costs incurred by OMR for processing requests for reimbursement of overpayments of royalties. This Resolution is effective on all requests for a recoupment received after October 1, 2015.
Resolution #15-08-013 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its August 12, 2015 meeting. This Resolution affirms that the OMR Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary be and are hereby authorized to evaluate and process penalty waiver requests for penalties assessed pursuant to La. R.S 30:136.B(2) and La. R.S 30:136.B(3) in amounts up to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). This Resolution is effective as of October 1, 2015.
Resolution #15-08-014 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its August 12, 2015 meeting. This Resolution affirms that the OMR Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary process penalty waiver requests for penalties assessed pursuant to La. R.S 30:136.B(2) in accordance with the set protocol. This resolution is effective as of October 1, 2015.
NOTICES REGARDING ASSIGNMENTS
Proposed new Form A, entitled "Acknowledgment and Estoppel Certification", recently noticed for public comment, is currently under revision and will be posted later for further comment.
Similarly, Form D, entitled "Designation of Joint Account Lessee", implemented by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its meeting on September 9, 2015, is under revision based upon concerns raised by industry representatives. For this reason, this form need not currently be included in any request for approval of an assignment or other transfer of interest in a State Lease.
Form B (Statement of Conveyance) and Form C (Certification of Bankruptcy Status) must still be submitted for consideration by the State Mineral and Energy Board with all requests for approval of an assignment or other transfer.
Resolution #15-07-052 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its July 8, 2015 meeting. This Resolution applies to the fee authorized by La. R.S. 30:128 in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for reviewing, researching, and processing requested transfers and assignments of Leases of minerals or mineral rights owned by the State. This fee will be applied to each Lease for which an interest is requested to be transferred or assigned. This Resolution is effective as of July 8, 2015.
This is a change from the fee assessment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each individual document of conveyance, regardless of the number of Leases to which the document may apply, to a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each Lease within an individual document of conveyance for which a transfer or assignment is requested.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Effective August 1, 2015, Act 362 of the 2015 Regular Legislative Session changed the oil and gas regulatory fund fee from $5.00 to $15.00. The $15 fee for the Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Fund remains unchanged. Therefore, the $20 per acre fee will now be $30 per acre. A separate check in this amount made payable to the "Office of Mineral Resources" shall accompany the original bid (inside the sealed bid envelope).
LIGNITE LEASE FORM
The new Lignite or Coal Mining Lease Form was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board on September 9, 2015.
The State Mineral and Energy Board is considering a proposed new Mineral Lease Form for lignite. A draft of the full text of the proposed lease form may be accessed by clicking here.
Important Information for Bidders
Criteria for Waiver of Liquidated Damages for the Late Release of a State Mineral Lease
Royalty Adjustments Resolution effective 7/14/2010