Office of Mineral Resources

The Office of Mineral Resources (OMR) was established to manage the State’s mineral assets in granting and administering leases on State-owned lands and water bottoms for developing and producing primarily oil and gas, as a means of revenue in the form of royalties, bonuses, and rentals to the State’s general fund.

OMR’s Assistant Secretary also serves as the Secretary of the State Mineral and Energy Board (Board).  OMR's staff consists of professionals such as Landmen, GIS specialists, Geologists, Engineers, Accountants, Auditors and administrative personnel that assist with the Board’s operations and responsibilities while providing technical advice and expertise for the Board’s monthly meetings and oil and gas lease sales.

Divisions

The responsibilities of the Office of Mineral Resources (OMR) are divided within four (4) divisions.

The Executive Division manages overall office operations including budget, personnel, professional service contracts, and purchasing.

The Energy Lands Division performs the mineral leasing function on behalf of the Board, maintains State mineral lease ownership and property data, manages the docket of items submitted for Board consideration at the monthly meetings and maintains the official State mineral lease files.  

The Geology and Engineering Division provides the State Mineral and Energy Board (Board) with expertise, advice and recommendations in the fields of geology, geophysics and engineering, by compiling, maintaining, and analyzing varied scientific data to determine the most advantageous minerals exploration, development, and production on State-owned lands and water bottoms.  Non-exclusive seismic permits are also reviewed and issued by this Division for surveys over State-owned lands and water bottoms.

The Mineral Income Division performs collection and accounting of revenue due the State from mineral leasing activity and production on State-owned lands and water bottoms on behalf of the Board.  This Division also performs audits which can provide revenue due the State from mineral leasing activity and production on State-owned lands and water bottoms.