As of 28 June 2019, the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a notice in the Federal Register calling for nominations of blocks and comments on available tracts within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The comment period will run until 22 July 2019. The 30-day notice will allow interested parties to nominate or comment on available tracts with the area. The notice is the first step in the process leading to a potential 2019 oil & gas lease sale.  According to BLM Alaska State Director Chad Padgett, âThe BLM in Alaska is also working on a new Integrated Activity Plan for the NPR-A to maximize tracts offered in the next lease sale as well as developing an Oil and Gas Leasing Program for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as directed by the 2017 Tax Act,â  âThe new IAP/EIS will include consideration of a range of leasing alternatives that open new areas to leasing, examination of current special area boundaries, and consideration of new or revised lease stipulations and best management practices,â according to the BLM website.  A draft IAP/EIS will be released in the fall followed by a 45-day public comment period which will include public meetings. Following the comment period, the BLM will revise the draft IAP/EIS and the final will be published. A 30-day waiting period will occur before issuing the final record of decision.    ConocoPhillips has been the most active company in leasing over the last few years as it sought to expand its holdings following the recent Nanushuk trend oil discoveries made in the region.
As of 28 June 2019, the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a notice in the Federal Register calling for nominations of blocks and comments on available tracts within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). 