Department of Environmental Conservation

Lease of State Land for Gas and Oil Exploration and Production (Follow-Up Report)

The Department of Environmental Conservation leases State lands for oil and gas exploration and production. The Department is also responsible for monitoring gas and oil well operations on both public and private lands. In audit 2005-S-54, we examined the Department’s leasing process and identified certain actions that could be taken by the Department to provide additional assurance lease revenue was being maximized. We also examined the Department’s monitoring practices and identified the need for improvements in certain administrative and recordkeeping practices. When we followed up on these matters with Department officials, we found they had at least partially implemented all our audit recommendations.

For a complete copy of Report 2009-F-1 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.