Number: RL33493
Title: Outer Continental Shelf: Debate Over Oil and Gas Leasing and Revenue Sharing
Authors: Marc Humphries, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: Royalty relief, particularly for deep-water projects, has come under closer scrutiny since it was revealed in a February 2006 New York Times article that leases issued during 1998 and 1999 did not contain price thresholds for royalty relief (above which royalties apply) as part of the Deep Water Royalty Relief Act (DWRRA) of 1995 (leases issued between 1996-2000). Language in the FY2009 Interior Appropriations bill as passed by the subcommittee and in House-passed H.R. 6899 would deny new Gulf of Mexico leases to lessees holding leases without price thresholds. However, Kerr McGee Oil and Gas Corp. (now Anadarko Petroleum Corp.) filed a lawsuit challenging the Minerals Management Service's (MMS's) authority to impose price thresholds in the DWRRA leases. On October 18, 2007, a ruling was issued by the U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, in favor of Kerr McGee.
Pages: 21
Date: October 27, 2008