Aug 24, 2026 Joint Trades Comments on BLM Proposed Rule on Royalty for Lost Oil and Gas
Western Energy Alliance (Alliance), the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), Colorado Oil and Gas Association, Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, Montana Petroleum Association, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, North Dakota Petroleum Council, Petroleum Association of Wyoming, Utah Petroleum Association, and West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, collectively the Trades, appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposal to modify its existing regulations pertaining to royalties due on oil and natural gas lost on Federal and Indian leases.
The Trades represent member companies who are engaged in the environmentally responsible development of oil and natural gas on BLM lands across the West. Our members will be directly impacted by this rulemaking and have a substantial interest in ensuring it aligns with BLM’s 2 of statutory authority and achieves the appropriate balance between environmental protection and energy development on federal lands. The Trades support the proposed updates, with some edits suggested , and urge BLM to expeditiously finalize the rule.
