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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 59223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23678]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Extension of Post-Sale Evaluation Period for Consolidated Central 
Gulf of Mexico Planning Area Lease Sale 216/222

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice to extend post-sale evaluation period.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends through October 18, 2012, the post-sale 
evaluation period for Consolidated Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area 
Lease Sale 216/222. BOEM will complete the evaluation process for all 
bids received in this sale by October 18, 2012. This action is 
necessary due to the temporary closure of the BOEM Regional Office 
building in New Orleans and other effects of the recent hurricane 
impacting the region.

DATES: The post-sale evaluation period for this sale will conclude on 
October 18, 2012.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In connection with the Consolidated Central 
Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 216/222, held June 20, 2012, BOEM received 
593 bids on 454 tracts. On July 10, 2012, the high bids on 63 tracts 
were accepted and bids on another 391 tracts were passed to Phase 2 of 
the post-sale evaluation period for detailed evaluation. As of 
September 14, 2012, BOEM had completed the evaluation and deemed 
acceptable the high bids offered on 203 of the tracts passed to Phase 
2. BOEM is continuing the evaluation process of bids for the remaining 
188 tracts.
    On August 27, 2012, BOEM personnel reported to work to carry out 
activities outlined in the Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Gulf of Mexico Region 
Emergency/Hurricane Preparedness Plan. Upon completion of the tasks, 
the Gulf of Mexico Regional Office building in New Orleans was closed 
at 3:00 p.m. local time. Many BOEM employees and their families 
evacuated the area ahead of the storm. On August 29, 2012, Hurricane 
Isaac made landfall along the northern Gulf Coast, just south of the 
New Orleans metropolitan area. Heavy rainfall and high winds caused 
flooding and damage to homes, businesses, and properties in the area. 
The New Orleans area experienced widespread power outages that affected 
nearly every resident. BOEM's Regional Office building in New Orleans 
received minor water damage to office space on 4 floors in the 
building, including offices occupied by key personnel directly involved 
in the post-sale evaluation process.
    As a result of these extraordinary circumstances, BOEM requires 
additional time to complete the bid review process, originally 
scheduled to conclude within 90 days following the Sale 216/222 sale 
date, that is, by September 18, 2012. Under the provisions of 30 CFR 
556.47(e)(2), BOEM is extending the bid evaluation period until October 
18, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Cooke, Regional Supervisor, 
Office of Resource Evaluation, Gulf of Mexico Region, telephone 504-
736-2710.

    Dated: September 18, 2012.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2012-23678 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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