The June 2015 natural gas and petroleum rights sale resulted in $1,788,971 in bonus bids.

The June 17, 2015 sale resulted in 12 parcels being sold, covering 7,075 hectares with an average price of $253 per hectare.

The highest bid was $848 per hectare for a lease in the Blueberry area, about 85 kilometres north of Hudson's Hope. The largest purchase was for three leases in the Aitken Creek area, about 110 km north of Hudson's Hope, for a total of $527,968 in tender bonus.

Drilling licences provide the exclusive right to explore for petroleum and natural gas by drilling wells and are acquired by the successful bidder at the Crown sale. Primary terms are three, four or five years depending on location.

Leases provide the exclusive right to produce petroleum and natural gas. They are acquired by the successful bidder at the Crown sale or selected from permits and drilling licences. Primary terms are five or 10 years, depending on location.

Natural gas and petroleum activities play a vital role in B.C. by employing thousands of British Columbians. Revenues from rights sales provide immediate economic benefits, funding social programs and infrastructure development in communities throughout the province.

The next sale, scheduled for July 15, 2015, will offer 11 parcels covering 7,174 hectares.

Complete results of the sale are posted at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=7EADDB6160D546579D4AFC5973CB2504

Media Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Natural Gas Development
250 952-0617