2020-15692. Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Region-Wide Lease Sale 256

AGENCY:

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale (NOS) for the proposed Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Region-wide Lease Sale 256 (GOM Region-wide Sale 256). BOEM is publishing this Notice pursuant to its regulatory authority. With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the Interior, pursuant to Section 19 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, provides governors of affected states the opportunity to review and comment on the Proposed NOS. The Proposed NOS describes the proposed size, timing, and location of the sale, including lease stipulations, terms and conditions, minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.

DATES:

Governors of affected states may comment on the size, timing, and location of proposed GOM Region-wide Sale 256 within 60 days following their receipt of the Proposed NOS. BOEM will publish the Final NOS in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the date of bid opening. Bid opening is currently scheduled for November 18, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

The Proposed NOS for GOM Region-wide Sale 256 and Proposed NOS Package containing information essential to potential bidders may be obtained from the Public Information Unit, Gulf of Mexico Region, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70123-2394; telephone: [phone]. The Proposed NOS and Proposed NOS Package also are available for downloading or viewing on BOEM's website at http://www.boem.gov/​Sale-256/​.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bernadette Thomas, Regional Supervisor, Office of Leasing and Plans, 504-736-2596, [e-mail] or Wright Jay Frank, Chief, Leasing Policy and Management Division, 703-787-1325, [e-mail].

Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1345 and 30 CFR 556.304(c).

Walter D. Cruickshank,

Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.