RAPID/Roadmap/3-AK-d
Alaska State Noncompetitive Mineral Leasing (3-AK-d)
The ADOG oversees the geothermal resource leasing process in the State of Alaska. The process is essentially a two-pronged approach to leasing lands: competitive and noncompetitive. Competitive leasing occurs when multiple parties are bidding for the development of a certain tract of land. Noncompetitive leasing occurs through a geothermal prospecting permit when there is little interest in the initial call for applications by ADOG. In either process, the surface owner (if other than the state) will have a preference right to either match the high bid or to obtain their own prospecting permit should they choose to do so.
Geothermal lease terms are issued for a primary term of 10 years and may be renewed for an additional term of five (5) years if the lessee is engaged in drilling operations. A geothermal lease is also valid for the duration of commercial production. Twenty years after the initial commercial production, and after in 10-year intervals, ADOG may renegotiate the rentals and royalties due on the geothermal lease AS § 38.05.181(f).
More information on the geothermal leasing process and information on current lease sales by ADOG, including public notice of applications, can be found on the ADNR Geothermal Leasing webpage.
State Noncompetitive Mineral Leasing Process
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3-AK-d.1 - Geothermal Prospecting Permit
ADOG will issue a noncompetitive geothermal prospecting permit for an initial two (2)-year term to the surface owner exercising their preference right under AS § 38.05.181(a), or to a person who submits an application for a tract subject to a call for applications, if the tract is not designated for competitive leasing. 11 AAC 84.730(a). The ADOG may renew a geothermal prospecting permit once for an additional one-year term if the permittee has exercised reasonable diligence but is unable to show a discovery or commercial geothermal resources. An application for a prospecting permit renewal must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the date on which the original permit is set to expire and must be accompanied by a copy of all geothermal survey date obtained from the lands under the permit. 11 AAC 84.730(c).
11 AAC 84.730(b) defines “reasonable diligence” as the performance of at least $50 per acre worth of drilling, geological, geochemical, or geophysical work on the permit area for the benefit of the permit area during the initial two-year term. The developer should consult the Alaska State Exploration Process before beginning any exploratory procedures under their geothermal prospecting permit.
For more information on the Alaska State Exploration Process, see:
State Exploration Process:
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Note: the prospecting permit is also referred to as a "geothermal exploration permit" in 11 AAC 87.030 and in Flowchart 4-AK-a.
3-AK-d.2 to 3-AK-d.3 - Is a Plan of Operations Needed?
If the surface estate is owned by a party other than the state, the operator must notify the surface owner of their opportunity to request that ADOG require a plan of operation before allowing any activity to take place on the lands ( 11 AAC 84.750 and 11 AAC 84.870).
The Application for a Plan of Operations (Application) will vary if the proposed project is within a Unitized Geothermal area. Contact ADOG for information regarding requirements of a Plan of Operation Application and consult the regulatory requirements within 11 AAC 84.750 for an individual Plan of Operation, and 11 AAC 84.870 for a Unit Plan of Operations. A complete Application should also include the application fee of $250 along with a Plan of Operations Application Form, the proposed Plan of Operations, and a Completed Mitigation Measure Analysis. Contact ADOG for more information on completing any of these documents or see their Plan of Operations Application Guidance Document.
The holder of a geothermal lease or prospecting permit should provide full payment of all damages sustained by the owner of the surface estate by reason of their entering the land. An application for approval of a plan of operations must include statements and maps or drawings setting out the following:
- sequence and schedule of operations to be conducted, including dates of proposed duration and commencement of operations;
- projected use requirements associated with proposed operations;
- plans for rehabilitation of the affected area after completion of operations;
- descriptions of operating procedures designed to prevent or minimize adverse effects on other natural resources and other uses of the area and adjacent areas
11 AAC 84.750(d) and 11 AAC 84.870(d).
ADOG may approve or disapprove of the application for approval of the plan of operations. It may also impose any amendments that are deemed necessary to protect the state’s interest. However, the terms of the plan of operations may not be inconsistent with the terms of sale under which the lease or prospecting permit were obtained. Terms of the plan of operations may not deprive the holder of the permit or lease of the right to reasonably explore for and develop geothermal resources for which they hold a permit or lease. 11 AAC 84.750(e) and 84.870(e).
3-AK-d.4 - State Exploration Process
A developer must submit an application for a Geothermal Exploration Permit before drilling shallow holes for purposes of measuring heat flow or temperature gradient. Alaska Admin. Code tit. 11 § 87.030.
For more information on the Alaska State Exploration Process, see:
State Exploration Process:
4-AK-a
3-AK-d.5 - Are there Commercial Quantities of Geothermal Resources Available?
After exploration of the permitted tract(s), the developer should determine if there are commercial quantities of geothermal resources available to develop. If there are, the holder of the Geothermal Prospecting Permit will have a preferential option to gain a noncompetitive geothermal lease. The permit holder does not have to go through the competitive bidding process should they meet all of the requirements. Alaska Admin. Code tit. 11 § 87.740.
3-AK-d.6 - Plan of Development (11 AAC 84.760)
A prerequisite to obtaining a noncompetitive geothermal lease is the completion of a plan of development for any proposed geothermal development prior to commencing commercial production. 11 AAC 84.740. Although a competitive lease will be issued before the plan of development is required, the noncompetitive lease process requires that this plan be developed for ADOG review before the lease execution. The developer should consult 11 AAC 84.760 for all of the required information to be included in the plan for development.
3-AK-d.7 - Has Prospecting Permit Holder Complied with all Noncompetitive Leasing Process Requirements and Received Approval of Plan of Development?
The Commissioner of ADOG will issue the noncompetitive lease to the geothermal prospecting permit holder if the permittee has:
- Submitted information from subsurface test results showing geothermal resources at a temperature and pressure to meet the requirements of the permittee’s proposed development;
- Discovered geothermal resources of commercial quantities;
- Complied with all noncompetitive leasing process requirements (as specified in Alaska Statutes 38.05 Alaska Land Act | AS § 38.05.181(c)); and
- Received approval of a plan of development under 11 AAC 84.760.’
“Commercial quantities” is defined as quantities sufficient to yield returns in excess of operating costs, even if drilling and equipment costs may never be repaid and the whole undertaking may be ultimately a loss. 11 AAC 84.740(c).
If the term of the geothermal prospecting permit expires while the commissioner is reviewing an application for a noncompetitive geothermal lease, the permit may be extended until the permittee is either granted or denied the lease. 11 AAC 84.740(b).
3-AK-d.8 - Noncompetitive Geothermal Lease
If the prospecting permit holder is issued a noncompetitive geothermal lease, they must then meet all bonding requirements set forth in 11 AAC 84.790 and pay the required annual rental. The bond amount will be determined by ADOG, but will be no less than $10/acre or $10,000, whichever is greater. The bond covers any potential surface-damage and will be released back to the developer under the following conditions:
- The geothermal prospecting permit or lease is expired or relinquished, and
- The area is rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the ADOG.
Statewide bonds do not satisfy the requirement of the surface-damage bond required for geothermal operation here, but may be considered by ADOG when setting any amount of additional bond required. 11 AAC 84.790(d).
Lease Term
Geothermal lease terms are issued for a primary term of 10 years and may be renewed for an additional term of 5 years if the lessee is engaged in drilling operations. A geothermal lease is also valid for the duration of commercial production. Twenty years after the initial commercial production, and after in 10-year intervals, ADOG may renegotiate the rentals and royalties due on the geothermal lease. AS § 38.05.181(f).
Royalties & Payments
All geothermal leases are subject to an annual rental, payable in advance, or $3/acre. The rental for the year will be credited against royalties during that year as a minimum payment for the geothermal lease. AS § 38.05.181(e).
Every geothermal lease will be conditioned on the payment of a royalty by the lessee of 1.75 percent of the gross revenues derived from the production, sale, or use of geothermal resources under the lease during the first 10 years immediately following the date the geothermal resource first generates gross income, and 3.5 percent of the gross revenues derived from the production, sale, or use of geothermal resources under the lease after that first 10-year period. Royalties may be taken in kind, rather than in value if ADOG determines that it would be in the best interest of the state. AS § 38.05.181(g).
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Alaska Division of Oil and Gas
State Mineral Leasing Process Contact
907.269.8776
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