97-14144. Extension of Post-Sale Evaluation Period for Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 166

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 29368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14144]



[[Page 29368]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Extension of Post-Sale Evaluation Period for Central Gulf of 
Mexico Lease Sale 166

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice to Extend Post-Sale Evaluation Period for Central Gulf 
of Mexico Lease Sale 166.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends by 45 days, the post-sale evaluation 
period for Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 166. The Minerals 
Management Service (MMS) will complete evaluating all the bids received 
in this sale by July 18, 1997. This action is necessary due to the 
unusually high number of bids received in response to this lease sale.

DATES: The post-sale evaluation period ends on July 18, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Lore, Regional Supervisor, 
Resource Evaluation, Gulf of Mexico Region, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 166, held 
March 5, 1997, we received 1,790 bids on 1,032 tracts, 799 of which 
passed to a second phase required for detailed evaluations. This 
unprecedented response by industry in Sale 166 resulted from the 
enactment of the Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water Royalty Relief Act 
(Pub. L. 104-58) and other factors, such as higher natural gas and oil 
prices. Consequently, MMS is unable to conduct and complete the entire 
bid review process within the 90 days, i.e., by June 3, 1997. Under 
provisions of Sec. 256.47(e)(2), MMS is extending the bid evaluation 
period until July 18, 1997.

    Dated: May 22, 1997.
Chris C. Oynes,
Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico.
[FR Doc. 97-14144 Filed 5-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P