[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71119-71120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30413]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Outer Continental Shelf, Central Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas 
Lease Sale 178

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of the proposed notice of sale, and notice of 
intent to hold two workshops to discuss several new provisions in the 
proposed notice

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    Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Notice of 
Availability of the proposed Notice of Sale for proposed Oil and Gas 
Lease Sale 178 in the Central Gulf of Mexico. This Notice is published 
pursuant to 30 CFR 256.29(c) as a matter of information to the public.
    With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the 
Interior, pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act, as amended, 
provides the affected States the opportunity to review the proposed 
Notice. The proposed Notice sets forth the proposed terms and 
conditions of the sale, including minimum bids, royalty rates, and 
rentals.
    The proposed Notice of Sale for Sale 178 and a ``Proposed Sale 
Notice Package'' containing information essential to potential bidders 
may be obtained from the Public Information Unit, Gulf of Mexico 
Region, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood

[[Page 71120]]

Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Telephone: (504) 
736-2519. These documents can also be found on the MMS Homepage Address 
on the Internet: http://www.mms.gov.
    The final Notice of Sale will be published in the Federal Register 
at least 30 days prior to the date of bid opening. Bid opening is 
currently scheduled for March 28, 2001.

Workshops to Discuss Several New Provisions in the Proposed Notice

    The MMS will hold two workshops to discuss with interested parties 
a number of new provisions being considered for proposed Lease Sale 178 
in the Central Gulf of Mexico:
    <bullet> deepwater royalty relief for leases in 800 meters water 
depth and greater;
    <bullet> shallow-water deep-gas royalty relief for leases in water 
depths less than 200 meters (where natural gas wells have been drilled 
15,000 feet or greater and commence production during the primary term 
of the lease);
    <bullet> subsalt lease term extension for leases in water depths 
less than 400 meters (with a primary term of 5 years), providing for a 
two-year extension beyond the 5-year primary term if a subsalt well has 
been drilled during the primary term; and
    <bullet> other proposed terms and conditions.

Workshops to Discuss Provisions of the Proposed Rule Regarding 
Discretionary Royalty Relief

    In addition, the MMS will hold two workshops to discuss with 
interested parties provisions of the proposed rule at 30 CFR, part 203, 
published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2000, regarding 
discretionary royalty relief for leases in 200 meters water depth and 
greater. These workshops will follow the Proposed Notice Workshops 
mentioned above, and at the same location.

Date, Time, and Location of Workshops:

December 12, 2000

    Minerals Management Service, Room 111, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123.

Provisions of Sale 178 proposed Notice of Sale, 9 a.m. until Noon
Provisions of discretionary royalty relief proposed rule, 1 to 4 p.m.

and

December 14, 2000

    Sheraton North Houston (at George Bush Intercontinental Airport), 
15700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77032, Hotel phone--
(281) 442-5100.

Provisions of the Sale 178 proposed Notice of Sale, 9 a.m. until Noon
Provisions of discretionary royalty relief proposed rule, 1 to 4 p.m.

    Attendees need not register prior to attending either meeting. 
Appropriate MMS personnel will be present at both workshops to answer 
questions regarding any aspect of the proposed Notice in the morning 
workshops, and questions regarding the proposed rule regarding 
discretionary royalty relief in the afternoon workshops.
    Potential bidders in Sale 178 should note that sale terms and 
conditions and other information presented in the proposed Notice may 
be revised following consideration of comments received during 
consultation with interested parties on the proposed Notice. A decision 
on the final Notice is scheduled for February 2001.
    For additional information, please call Mr. Charles Hill (504) 736-
2795.

    Dated: November 22, 2000.
Thomas R. Kitsos,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30413 Filed 11-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P