JUNEAU, Alaska – Today, the State of Alaska received more than 300 bids from more than 15 bidders for oil and gas lease tracts on the North Slope and the Beaufort Sea, totaling more than $21 million, signifying one of the most successful sales in recent Alaska history.

“Today’s lease sale was an important, positive step that attracted additional investment to the North Slope,” Governor Parnell said. “Reversing the declining flow of oil through TAPS and getting to one million barrels per day is critical to our economy and the nation’s energy security.”

The Parnell administration this year announced a “Secure Alaska’s Future” strategy to achieve the one million barrel daily throughput goal within ten years. As part of the strategy, the Department of Natural Resources has been promoting the North Slope lease sale and the positive attributes of the region’s hydrocarbon basin to local, national, and international markets. This effort has included outreach to a wide array of stakeholders, including energy companies, investors, federal agencies, community groups and journalists.

“One of our immediate goals for this lease sale was to increase the number and type of investors and companies investing in Alaska,” said Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan. “We are pleased that the sale was successful in this respect, but there is certainly an opportunity to do more in the future to attract additional investment.”

For more information about the lease sale, please contact Department of Natural Resources Communications Coordinator Elizabeth Bluemink at 269-8434. Preliminary results from the lease sale will be posted online later this week at https://www.dog.dnr.alaska.gov.

Office of Governor Parnell