SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office today opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on plans to include 32 oil and gas leases, totaling 20,479 acres in New Mexico and Oklahoma in a January 2026 sale. The comment period ends Sept. 2, 2025.
The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in June 2025 and is now seeking public comment on the parcels and the related environmental analysis. The BLM will use input from the public to help complete its review of each parcel.
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. Information on current and upcoming BLM leases is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System. BLM lease sales are held online through EnergyNet.
The parcels BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment, are available on the BLM National NEPA Register at:
- Carlsbad Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2038163/510
- Farmington Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2038161/510
- Oklahoma Field Office: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2038162/510
Comments