BILLINGS, Mont. – The Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office’s competitive oil and gas lease sale in January brought in a total of $11.314 million in high bids received, according to BLM information.

In total, 255 bids were received, with 13 parcels covering 1,324 acres in Montana and North Dakota leased, roughly 100 percent of the total acreage available.

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.

All parcels that are included in a federal oil and gas lease sale include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources.