OFFICE OF MINERAL RESOURCES (OMR)
SPECIAL NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Notice Regarding the Public Hearing for Docket No. OMR 25-01; Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC- Proposed Operating Agreement
The Office of Mineral Resources will hold a public hearing regarding Docket No. OMR 25-01 for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC- Proposed Operating Agreement for Hydrocarbon Storage in the Washingston Field Gas Storage Area, St. Landry Parish on October 17, 2025. See details below:
Public Hearing Notice for St. Landry Parish
Special Notice Regarding the State Mineral and Energy Board Meeting and Lease Sale for October 8, 2025
The State Mineral and Energy Board will hold the October 8, 2025 Board Meeting and Lease Sale at the LaSalle Office Building, LaBelle Hearing Room, 1st floor. The opening of bids will begin at 8:30 A.M. The Natural Resources Trust Authority will hold it's committee meeting at 9:00 A.M. The Board Meeting will follow at 9:30 A.M.
The Board Meeting and Lease Sale Agenda will be posted here when available.
Further information about the Board Meeting, Lease Sale and Natural Resources Trust Authority can be found here.
Special Notice Regarding Resolution No. 25-02-005, House Bill No. 24 (Act 17)
House Bill No. 24 (Act 17) was passed by the Louisiana State Legislature during the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session, allowing for the increase of certain administrative fees associated with the State of Louisiana’s mineral leasing process due to inflationary adjustments.
During its February 2025 meeting, the State Mineral and Energy Board adopted Resolution No. 25-02-005, granting the Office of Mineral Resources the authority to implement the following fee increases:
• The application for lease fee will increase from $400 to $600.
• The request to furnish proof of publication will increase from $20 to $35.
• State lease transfers or assignments will increase from $100 to $175, per State Lease No.
• The application for a storage lease will increase from $50 to $100.
In accordance with the terms of Resolution No. 25-02-005, these fee increases will take effect on June 1, 2025.
Special Notice Regarding Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Operating Agreements
The State Mineral and Energy Board approved the final public draft of the Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Operating Agreement Procurement Guidelines on May 14, 2025. This is the process for submitting and evaluating proposals for carbon dioxide sequestration operating agreements on state-owned lands and water bottoms. The final draft can be found here.
MORE INFORMATION REGARDING CARBON CAPTURE SEQUESTRATION AND WIND ENERGY AGREEMENTS
FORCE MAJEURE - May 1, 2025
Download: Force Majeure Memorandum - May 1, 2025
Download: Force Majeure Affidavit - May 1, 2025
How to Report Force Majeure Online
MAY 1, 2025 For Informational Purposes -- No Action Is Required At This Time
Memorandum Regarding Force Majeure To State Lease Operators
The Office of Mineral Resources (OMR) wishes to remind our lessees that the 2025 Hurricane Season begins June 1st. Please take a moment to review the State Mineral and Energy Board’s (Board) Force Majeure Policy and OMR’s “How-To” guide for reporting force majeure events, which are both accessible on the Department of Energy and Natural Resources website. Please note:
- The Board requires lessees to report force majeure conditions that result in the shutting-in of state leases.
- The Board requires lessees to report force majeure condition in a timely manner, which is before the lease would normally expire under its own terms.
- Lessees must maintain state leases under their operative payment provisions (i.e., rental, shut-in, deferred development, etc.) when possible. Force majeure status is available only when triggered by the circumstances delineated in the lease and/or the Board’s Policy.
- All new requests for force majeure recognition should be submitted using the online force majeure reporting system. Lessees who are unable to connect to the reporting system should complete the Excel spreadsheet and forward it to the Office of Mineral Resources by e-mail.
- Upon receipt of a report, the OMR staff will request additional information and/or provide instruction.
- All state leases that do not include force majeure language may need to be amended to include the current force majeure language.
Finally, we encourage all lessees to review and update their hurricane preparedness and emergency evacuation plans and verify emergency contact information of employees, support services, and government representatives.
If you have any questions concerning force majeure, please do not hesitate to contact Jason Talbot directly at (225) 342-4621 or by email at Jason.Talbot@la.gov.
Andrew B. Young
Assistant Secretary
Office of Mineral Resources
Department of Energy and Natural Resources
Extension Notice Regarding the 2024 Royalty Reduction Program
The State Mineral and Energy Board has authorized an extension of the 2024 Royalty Reduction Program (RRP) with the approval of Resolution 24-12-004. The RRP will continue through December 31, 2025.
Notice Regarding the 2024 Royalty Reduction Program
The State Mineral and Energy Board has authorized the 2024 Royalty Reduction Program (RRP) as an incentive to encourage the exploration and production of the State's minerals for the public good. Please visit the 2024 Royalty Reduction Program page for further information.
- July 22, 2024 Royalty Reduction Program Press Release
- 2024 Royalty Reduction Program Resolution #24-06-003
- 2024 RRP Application Form (only applies to leases awarded between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024)
OMR Announces Acreage Returned To Commerce September 15, 2025
The Office of Mineral Resources announced 13,850.078 acres have been released and returned back to commerce. This acreage is located in Cameron, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Terrebonne Parishes and is now available for leasing by the public.
Please use the following link for more information:
LATEST RELEASE LIST
Registration Reminder for all Applicants, Prospective and Current Leaseholders of a State Mineral Lease
Anyone wanting to submit an application to nominate state owned lands or waterbottoms for mineral leasing or to submit a bid for a mineral lease, exclusive geophysical agreement, or wind lease given by the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board is required to register, and renew registration annually, with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources' Office of Mineral Resources (OMR) prior to submitting an application or bid. In accordance with LA Statute 30:123.1, all current and prospective leaseholders of the Office of Minerals must be registered and update their information each year during the month of January. Failure to register shall subject a required party to a penalty of $100 per day from January 31 until the date of registration.
Please contact Angie Patterson at (225) 342-4519 or angela.patterson@la.gov for questions concerning registration.
To access previous Special Notices and Announcements, please visit the Special Notices & Announcements Archives webpage