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The NewsRoom
Release:
#3544
Date: August 14, 2006
Minerals Management Service
Given Approval for Lease Sale 200
Decision Enhances America’s Energy
Resources
NEW ORLEANS – Federal
District Court Judge Kurt Engelhardt today denied the State
of Louisiana’s motion for a preliminary injunction in the
case of Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Governor, State of
Louisiana, et al v. Rejane “Johnnie” Burton, Director,
Minerals Management Service, et al. Louisiana sought to stop
MMS from holding Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 200.
Although the decision could be appealed, MMS is proceeding
with plans for the sale, to be held as scheduled at 9:00
a.m., August 16, 2006, at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel.
"The Court’s decision today will allow MMS to continue its
plans for producing additional energy supplies for the
Nation. Domestic energy consumption is on the rise, so
domestic offshore production should be on the rise as well
to help meet that need,” said Johnnie Burton, Director of
the Minerals Management Service (MMS). "We have every reason
to believe that when Lease Sale 200 is completed, it will be
a great success, with the potential to deliver additional
energy supplies to the nation as well as millions of dollars
to the U.S. Treasury."
While the Court denied
Louisiana’s request for a preliminary injunction, the state
could appeal the ruling. The case on the merits of
Louisiana’s claims is still pending. MMS has requested an
expedited hearing on that case, although no date has been
set.
The Western Gulf Planning
Area, which includes Lease Sale 200, encompasses 35.9
million acres offshore Texas and the deeper waters offshore
Louisiana, and is extremely attractive to bidders. At last
year’s Western Gulf sale, MMS received $283.4 million in
high bids that was sent to the U.S. Treasury, the Land and
Water Conservation Fund, the Reclamation Fund, and the
National Historic Preservation Fund.
With 20.9 million acres
available in Lease Sale 200, MMS estimates the sale could
result in the production of between 136 and 262 million
barrels of oil and 0.810 and 1.440 trillion cubic feet of
natural gas. Continued access to this vast resource is
necessary for the nation’s security and will provide a
stable and continuing source of energy for the American
public.
Relevant Web Site:
MMS Main Website
Media
Contact:
Gary Strasburg
202/208-3985
MMS:
Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for
America
U.S. Department
of the Interior
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