Central GoM Lease Sale 190 Attracts $368.7 Million High Bids

MMS

Strong competition that produced robust bidding was a key factor in Central Lease Sale 190, garnering $368,763,482 in high bids from 83 companies for oil and natural gas leases in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The total of all bids was $636,819,534.

The sale, held today in New Orleans, was conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service. The agency received 829 bids on 557 tracts. "The fact that this was the highest number of bids received in a Central Sale in the past six years is a clear indication of the industry's continued confidence in the Gulf as a source of energy for the nation" said MMS Director Johnnie Burton. In this sale, 4,324 tracts comprising approximately 23 million acres offshore Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi were offered.

"The results of this lease sale are impressive and reflect a strong commitment by industry to increase domestic oil and gas production during this crucial period for our Nation," Burton said. While Interest in the deepwater continues, the large number of tracts receiving bids in the Ultra-deepwater is of particular note. The most noteworthy aspect is that 60% of the bids were on the shelf. "We believe this reflects definite industry interest in deep gas in shallow waters in response to royalty relief offered as part of MMS's Deep Gas Initiative," she explained. The final rule was announced earlier this year.

The highest bid received on a block was $35,290,892, submitted by Amerada Hess for Green Canyon Block 468. The second highest bid received was $31,088,000, submitted by a group that included Nexen Petroleum Offshore U.S.A. Inc., Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Union Oil Company of California, and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc. for Green Canyon Block 512.

Each of the high bids on a block will go through an evaluation process to ensure the public receives fair market value before a lease is awarded.

Top Five Companies Based on Total Number of High Bids Submitted:

Company Total High Bids Sum of High Bids
Magnum Hunter Production, Inc. 55 $8,364,868
BHP Billiton (Deepwater) Inc. 32 $18,496,332
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. 29 $10,032,218
Remington Oil & Gas Corp. 25 $4,571,124
BP Exploration & Production, Inc. 24 $8,162,608


Top Five Companies Based on Total Amount of High Bids Submitted:

Company Total High Bids Sum of High Bids
Amerada Hess Corp. 17 $40,710,005.00
BHP Billiton (Deepwater) Inc. 32 $18,496,330.50
Stone Energy Corporation 8 $15,544,000.00
Pogo Producing Company 15 $12,647,000.00
Tana Exploration Company LLC 10 $12,145,905.75

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