Public Notice:Comment Period Extended on Susitna Basin

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED FOR:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EVALUATE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION LICENSE PROPOSAL

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON EXPLORATION LICENSES WITHIN SOLICITATION AREA

CALL FOR NEW INFORMATION ON SUSITNA BASIN EXPLORATION LICENSES FINAL FINDING OF THE DIRECTOR, SEPTEMBER 25, 2003

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EVALUATE EXPLORATION LICENSE PROPOSAL Pursuant to AS 38.05.133, AS 38.05.945(b)(3), 11 AAC 82.912 and 11 AAC 82.918, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas (DO&G) provides notice of its intent to evaluate the acceptability of an oil and gas exploration license proposal for Susitna Basin that was received April 29, 2010. The proposal was received in accordance with AS 38.05.133(b) and 11 AAC 82.909(d). The DO&G will hold confidential the name of the applicant and the provisions of the proposal in accordance with AS 38.05.035(a)(8) and AS 38.05.133(e).

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON EXPLORATION LICENSES WITHIN SOLICITATION AREA
The DO&G is requesting comments on exploration license proposals for exploration of oil and gas resources within the solicitation area (map available at www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us/oil). A successful license holder will have the exclusive right to explore state land within the license area for deposits of oil and gas for up to ten years, and may convert all or a portion of the license area to a standard oil and gas lease after meeting the work commitment specified in the license. Before issuing an exploration license, the DO&G must find, in writing, that an exploration license in this area is in the state’s best interest. To be considered, comments on exploration licenses within the solicitation area must be submitted to the address and by the comment extension deadline provided at the end of this announcement.

CALL FOR NEW INFORMATION
The DO&G is requesting new information on the Susitna Basin Exploration Licenses Final Finding of the Director issued on September 25, 2003. Once a best interest finding for an area is written, the DO&G can issue licenses in that area for up to ten years without having to issue a new finding for each, provided that before each subsequent license, the DO&G solicits new information and makes a determination whether substantial new information has become available that justifies a supplement to the most recent best interest finding (AS 38.05.131(a), AS 38.05.180(w), and AS 38.05.035(e)(6)(F)). Through this request for new information, the DO&G provides an opportunity for interested parties to submit new information to the DO&G that has become available since the issuance of the best interest finding for this area. The Susitna Basin Final Finding is available on the DO&G website: www.dog.dnr.alaska.gov/oil

HOW TO MAKE A SUBMITTAL
Submittal(s) should clearly be marked as “Comment on the Exploration License Proposal”, or “New Information for Susitna Basin Best Interest Finding”, and must be sent to: Terry Peterson, Natural Resource Manager, 500 W. 7th Ave., Suite 800, Anchorage, AK 99501 or by email to:
terry.peterson@alaska.gov

Comments on the exploration license proposal and new information for the best interest finding must be received no later than the comment extension deadline: July 9, 2010, 4:30 pm