30 U.S.C. § 226

Act of March 1, 1911, referred to in subsecs. (b)(3)(E) and (o)(5)(A), is act Mar. 1, 1911, ch. 186, 36 Stat. 961, popularly known as the Weeks Law, which enacted former sections 513 and 514 and sections 515 to 519, 521, 552, and 563 of Title 16, Conservation, and amended sections 480 and 500 of Title 16. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 552 of Title 16 and Tables.

The Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (d), is subtitle B (§§ 5101 to 5113) of title V of Pub. L. 100–203, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–256. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1987 Amendment note set out under section 181 of this title and Tables.

The Combined Hydrocarbon Leasing Act of 1981, referred to in subsec. (n)(2), is Pub. L. 97–78, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1070, which amended sections 181, 182, 184, 209, 226, 241, 351, and 352 of this title and enacted a provision set out as a note under section 181 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1981 Amendment note set out under section 181 of this title and Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (p)(2)(A), (3)(A), (B), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

2025—Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(d)(1), substituted “Leasing of oil and gas parcels” for “Lease of oil and gas lands” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a), repealed Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(a), (e), and provided that any provision of law amended or repealed by those subsections are restored or revived as if those subsections had not been enacted. See 2022 Amendment notes below and Repeal of Inflation Reduction Act Provisions note set out under section 188 of this title.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(d)(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “All lands subject to disposition under this chapter which are known or believed to contain oil or gas deposits may be leased by the Secretary.”

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(b)(3), inserted “For purposes of the previous sentence, the term ‘eligible lands’ means all lands that are subject to leasing under this chapter and are not excluded from leasing by a statutory prohibition, and the term ‘available’, with respect to eligible lands, means those lands that have been designated as open for leasing under a land use plan developed under section 1712 of title 43 and that have been nominated for leasing through the submission of an expression of interest, are subject to drainage in the absence of leasing, or are otherwise designated as available pursuant to regulations adopted by the Secretary.” after “sales are necessary.”

Subsec. (p)(4). Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(d)(2), added subsec. (p).

Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(d)(3), added subsec. (q) and struck out former subsec. (q) which related to fee for expression of interest.

2022—Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(a)(1)(B), which substituted “16⅔ percent” for “12½ per centum” wherever appearing, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a)(1).

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(e)(1)(A)(i), which substituted “paragraph (2)” for “paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection” and struck out at end “Lands for which no bids are received or for which the highest bid is less than the national minimum acceptable bid shall be offered promptly within 30 days for leasing under subsection (c) of this section and shall remain available for leasing for a period of 2 years after the competitive lease sale”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a)(2).

Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(a)(1)(A), which substituted “at a rate of not less than 16⅔” for “at a rate of not less than 12.5” and inserted “or, in the case of a lease issued during the 10-year period beginning on August 16, 2022, 16⅔ percent in amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease” after “removed or sold from the lease”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a)(1).

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(b)(1), substituted “$10 per acre during the 10-year period beginning on August 16, 2022.” for “$2 per acre for a period of 2 years from December 22, 1987.”

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(b)(2), substituted “$10 per acre” for “$2 per acre”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(e)(1)(A)(ii), which struck out par. (3) relating to certain vested interests in mineral estates held by the United States, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a)(2).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(e)(1)(B), which added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) relating to lands subject to leasing under subsec. (b) and first qualified applicants, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a)(2).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(c)(1), substituted “$3 per acre per year during the 2-year period beginning on the date the lease begins for new leases, and after the end of that 2-year period, $5 per acre per year for the following 6-year period, and not less than $15 per acre per year thereafter, or, in the case of a lease issued during the 10-year period beginning on August 16, 2022, $3 per acre per year during the 2-year period beginning on the date the lease begins, and after the end of that 2-year period, $5 per acre per year for the following 6-year period, and $15 per acre per year thereafter.” for “$1.50 per acre per year for the first through fifth years of the lease and not less than $2 per acre per year for each year thereafter.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(e)(1)(C), which added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e), text of which read: “Competitive and noncompetitive leases issued under this section shall be for a primary term of 10 years: Provided, however, That competitive leases issued in special tar sand areas shall also be for a primary term of ten years. Each such lease shall continue so long after its primary term as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities. Any lease issued under this section for land on which, or for which under an approved cooperative or unit plan of development or operation, actual drilling operations were commenced prior to the end of its primary term and are being diligently prosecuted at that time shall be extended for two years and so long thereafter as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–21, § 50101(a)(2).

Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 117–169, § 50262(d), added subsec. (q).

2014—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 113–291, § 3022(a)(1), inserted “, except as provided in subparagraph (C)” after “by oral bidding”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 113–291, § 3022(a)(2), added subpar. (C).

2005—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 109–58, § 350(b), inserted “, subject to paragraph (2)(B),” after “Thereafter, the Secretary”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–58, § 350(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpars. (B) to (D).

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–58, § 369(j)(1), designated first sentence as cl. (i), substituted “5,760” for “five thousand one hundred and twenty”, designated second and third sentences as cls. (ii) and (iii), respectively, and added cl. (iv).

Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 109–58, § 366, added subsec. (p).

1995—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–66 struck out at end “The Secretary shall report to Congress at the beginning of each regular session all such agreements entered into during the previous year which involve unleased Government lands.”

1994—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103–437 substituted “Natural Resources” for “Interior and Insular Affairs” before “of the United States House”.

1992—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 102–486, § 2507(a)(1), substituted “under paragraphs (2) and (3)” for “under paragraph (2)”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 102–486, § 2507(a)(2), added par. (3).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–486, § 2509, substituted “Competitive and noncompetitive leases issued under this section shall be for a primary term of 10 years: Provided, however,” for “Competitive leases issued under this section shall be for a primary term of five years and noncompetitive leases for a primary term of ten years: Provided, however,”.

Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 102–486, § 2508(a), added subsec. (o).

1987—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–203, § 5102(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “If the lands to be leased are within any known geological structure of a producing oil or gas field, they shall be leased to the highest responsible qualified bidder by competitive bidding under general regulations in units of not more than six hundred and forty acres, which shall be as nearly compact in form as possible, upon the payment by the lessee of such bonus as may be accepted by the Secretary and of such royalty as may be fixed in the lease, which shall be not less than 12½ per centum in amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–203, § 5102(b), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “If the lands to be leased are not subject to leasing under subsection (b) of this section, the person first making application for the lease who is qualified to hold a lease under this chapter shall be entitled to a lease of such lands without competitive bidding. Such leases shall be conditioned upon the payment by the lessee of a royalty of 12½ per centum in amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–203, § 5102(c), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: “All leases issued under this section shall be conditioned upon payment by the lessee of a rental of not less than 50 cents per acre for each year of the lease. Each year’s lease rental shall be paid in advance. A minimum royalty of $1 per acre in lieu of rental shall be payable at the expiration of each lease year beginning on or after a discovery of oil or gas in paying quantities on the lands leased.”

Subsecs. (f) to (n). Pub. L. 100–203, § 5102(d)(1), added subsecs. (f) to (h) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) to (k) as (i) to (n), respectively.

1981—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–78, § 1(6)(a), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–78, § 1(6)(b), substituted “subject to leasing under subsection (b) of this section” for “within any known geological structure of a producing oil or gas field”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–78, § 1(6)(c), inserted proviso that competitive leases in special tar sand areas be for a primary term of ten years.

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 97–78, § 1(8), added subsec. (k).

1960—Pub. L. 86–705 generally amended this section and sections 226d and 226e of this title, combining all three sections and subdividing provisions into subsections (a) to (j) of this section. Among other changes were: substitution of a fixed 10-year term for a renewable 5-year term for noncompetitive leases, the addition of subsec. (h) provisions with respect to the running of time against a lease during a contest of the claim, an increase in the minimum yearly rentals from 25 to 50 cents an acre, and striking out provisions that permitted a waiver of second-year and third-year rentals in certain situations.

Pub. L. 86–507 authorized notice of withdrawal to be given by certified mail.

1954—Act July 29, 1954, in second par., provided, that no lease shall terminate for nonproduction (1) if reworking or drilling operations are begun within 60 days after cessation of production, (2) if cessation of production is by order or with consent of the Secretary of the Interior, or (3) unless the lessee is given a reasonable time of at least 60 days to place a well, capable of producing paying quantities of oil or gas, on a producing status.

Act July 29, 1954, in third par., made sure that if a lessee seasonably applies for an extension of the initial five-year term of the lease he will be given such extension for either 5 years or 2 years, depending on whether or not the land is in a producing structure.

Act July 29, 1954, in fifth par., provided that the primary term of a lease which is effected by an agreement under which the United States received compensatory royalty remains in full force and effect for 1 year following discontinuance of compensatory royalty payments.

1946—Act Aug. 8, 1946, principally substituted, with respect to the leasing of lands not within a known geological structure of a producing oil or gas field, a royalty rate of 12½ per cent without further provision as to lease terms or quality of production; substituted a minimum royalty of $1 per acre per annum after discovery for the advance rental of not less than 25 cents per acre per annum required prior to discovery; provided that all leases shall be for a primary term of 5 years which shall continue thereafter for so long as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities, and that leases, with certain exceptions, shall be subject to one renewal for 5 years, and, if not subject to renewal, shall extend for an additional 2 years if diligent operations are in progress at the lease expiration date.

1935—Act Aug. 21, 1935, amended section generally.

1931—Act Mar. 4, 1931, amended section generally.

1930—Act July 3, 1930, amended section generally.

Pub. L. 102–486, title XXV, § 2507(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3108, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] apply with respect to those mineral estates in which the interest of the United States becomes a vested present interest after January 1, 1990.”

For repeal of section 50262(a), (e) of Pub. L. 117–169 and revival of prior text as if those subsections had not been enacted, see section 50101(a) of Pub. L. 119–21, set out as a note under section 188 of this title.

Pub. L. 109–58, title III, § 350(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 711, provided that: “Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 8, 2005], the Secretary [of the Interior] shall issue final regulations to implement this section [amending this section].”

Pub. L. 102–486, title XXV, § 2508(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3109, provided that: “Within 90 days after the enactment of this Act [Oct. 24, 1992] the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section].”

Pub. L. 100–203, title V, § 5107, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–259, provided that:“(a)Regulations.—The Secretary shall issue final regulations to implement this subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 5101–5113) of title V of Pub. L. 100–203, see Short Title of 1987 Amendment note set out under section 181 of this title] within 180 days after the enactment of this subtitle [Dec. 22, 1987]. The regulations shall be effective when published in the Federal Register.“(b)Treatment Under Other Law.—The proposal or promulgation of such regulations shall not be considered a major Federal action subject to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)].“(c)Test Sale.—The Secretary may hold one or more lease sales conducted in accordance with the amendments made by this subtitle before promulgation of regulations referred to in subsection (a). Sale procedures for such sale shall be established in the notice of sale.”

Pub. L. 86–705, § 8, Sept. 2, 1960, 74 Stat. 791, provided that: “No amendment made by this Act [see Short Title of 1960 Amendment note set out under section 181 of this title] shall affect any valid right in existence on the effective date [Sept. 2, 1960] of the Mineral Leasing Act Revision of 1960.”

See note set out under section 181 of this title.

Functions of Secretary of the Interior, referred to in subsec. (j), to promulgate regulations under this chapter relating to establishment of diligence requirements for operations conducted on Federal leases, setting of rates for production of Federal leases, and specifying of procedures, terms, and conditions for acquisition and disposition of Federal royalty interests taken in kind, transferred to Secretary of Energy by section 7152(b) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Section 7152(b) of Title 42 was repealed by Pub. L. 97–100, title II, § 201, Dec. 23, 1981, 95 Stat. 1407, and functions of Secretary of Energy returned to Secretary of the Interior. See House Report No. 97–315, pp. 25, 26, Nov. 5, 1981.

Pub. L. 119–21, title V, § 50101(b)(1), (2), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 137, provided that:“(1)In general.—The Secretary of the Interior shall immediately resume quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales in compliance with the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).“(2)Requirement.—The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure—“(A) that any oil and gas lease sale required under paragraph (1) is conducted immediately on completion of all applicable scoping, public comment, and environmental analysis requirements under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and“(B) that the processes described in subparagraph (A) are conducted in a timely manner to ensure compliance with subsection (b)(1).”

Pub. L. 119–21, title V, § 50101(c), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 138, provided that:“(1)In general.—In accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a minimum of 4 oil and gas lease sales of available land in each of the following States:“(A) Wyoming.“(B) New Mexico.“(C) Colorado.“(D) Utah.“(E) Montana.“(F) North Dakota.“(G) Oklahoma.“(H) Nevada.“(I) Alaska.“(2)Requirement.—In conducting a lease sale under paragraph (1) in a State described in that paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior—“(A) shall offer not less than 50 percent of available parcels nominated for oil and gas development under the applicable resource management plan in effect for relevant Bureau of Land Management resource management areas within the applicable State; and“(B) shall not restrict the parcels offered to 1 Bureau of Land Management field office within the applicable State unless all nominated parcels are located within the same Bureau of Land Management field office.“(3)Replacement sales.—The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a replacement sale during the same fiscal year if—“(A) a lease sale under paragraph (1) is canceled, delayed, or deferred, including for a lack of eligible parcels; or“(B) during a lease sale under paragraph (1) the percentage of acreage that does not receive a bid is equal to or greater than 25 percent of the acreage offered.”

Pub. L. 100–203, title V, § 5106, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–259, provided that:“(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 5101–5113) of title V of Pub. L. 100–203, see Short Title of 1987 Amendment note set out under section 181 of this title] and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, all noncompetitive oil and gas lease applications and offers and competitive oil and gas bids pending on the date of enactment of this subtitle [Dec. 22, 1987] shall be processed, and leases shall be issued under the provisions of the Act of February 25, 1920 [this chapter], as in effect before its amendment by this subtitle, except where the issuance of any such lease would not be lawful under such provisions or other applicable law.“(b) No noncompetitive lease applications or offers pending on the date of enactment of this subtitle for lands within the Shawnee National Forest, Illinois; the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas; Fort Chaffee, Arkansas; or Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; shall be processed until these lands are posted for competitive bidding in accordance with section 5102 of this subtitle [amending this section and section 188 of this title]. If any such tract does not receive a bid equal to or greater than the national minimum acceptable bid from a responsible qualified bidder then the noncompetitive applications or offers pending for such a tract shall be reinstated and noncompetitive leases issued under the Act of February 25, 1920, as in effect before its amendment by this subtitle, except where the issuance of any such lease would not be lawful under such provisions or other applicable law. If competitive leases are issued for any such tract, then the pending noncompetitive application or offer shall be rejected.“(c) Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, all oil and gas leasing pursuant to the Act of February 25, 1920, after the date of enactment of this subtitle shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle.”

Pub. L. 100–203, title V, § 5110, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–261, required the Secretary to submit to Congress, annually for 5 years after Dec. 22, 1987, a report containing appropriate information, as specified by this section, to facilitate congressional monitoring of this subtitle B (§§ 5101–5113) of title V of Pub. L. 100–203 (enacting sections 195 and 226–3 of this title, amending sections 187a, 187b, 188, 191, and 226 of this title and section 3148 of Title 16, Conservation, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 226 of this title).

Pub. L. 100–203, title V, § 5111, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–262, provided that: “The National Academy of Sciences and the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the manner in which oil and gas resources are considered in the land use plans developed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2743) [Pub. L. 94–579, see Short Title note under 43 U.S.C. 1701] and the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 476) [Pub. L. 93–378, 16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.], as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2949) [Pub. L. 94–588, see Short Title of 1976 Amendment note under 16 U.S.C. 1600], and recommend any improvements that may be necessary to ensure that—“(1) potential oil and gas resources are adequately addressed in planning documents;“(2) the social, economic, and environmental consequences of exploration and development of oil and gas resources are determined; and“(3) any stipulations to be applied to oil and gas leases are clearly identified.”

Act July 14, 1952, ch. 742, 66 Stat. 630, provided: “That any lease issued for a ten-year term in exchange for an oil and gas prospecting permit pursuant to sections 13 and 17 of the Act entitled ‘An Act to promote the mining of coal, phosphate, oil, oil shale, gas, and sodium on the public domain’, approved February 25, 1920, as amended by the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 674) [sections 221 and 226, respectively, of this title], and prior to amendment by the Act of August 8, 1946 [act Aug. 8, 1946, ch. 916, § 3, 60 Stat. 951], and upon which drilling operations were being diligently prosecuted on the expiration date of such lease, prior to the effective date of this Act [July 14, 1952], is hereby reinstated effective from the expiration date of the lease and shall continue in effect for a period of two years after the effective date of this Act and so long thereafter as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities, if, within ninety days after the enactment of this Act, payment is made, under the terms of such lease as reinstated and extended, of any sums due the United States for prior years. This Act shall not be applicable to any lands which, subsequent to such expiration and prior to the enactment of this Act, have been withdrawn from leasing, leased, or otherwise disposed of.”

Grant by Secretary of the Interior of oil, gas, and other mineral leases on submerged lands of outer Continental Shelf, see section 1331 et seq. of Title 43, Public Lands.