Leasing of Sulfur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf

This final rule updates and streamlines the existing Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing regulations and clarifies implementation of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996, which amended the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (FOGRMA). The final rule reorganizes leasing requirements to more effectively communicate the leasing process as it has evolved over the years. The final rule makes changes to regulations which relate to the oil, gas, and sulfur leasing requirements. The final rule does not, however, include substantive changes to regulations which relate to bonding, which will be the subject of a separate new proposed rulemaking.