The remaining oil and gas reserves and resources of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) represent one of America's largest publicly owned assets. Through 1980, OCS oil and gas leases had produced $62.8 billion in gross revenue and $41.3 billion in bonus, royalty, and rental payments to the federal government (U.S. Geological Survey, 1981).

No abstract

The four principal leasing systems—work program, royalty, profit share (including rent resource tax), and bonus bidding—are reviewed relative to their efficiency in maximizing and collecting the present value of economic rents. Empirical research is shown to support theoretical conclusions that the most efficient system appears to be bonus bidding, without a fixed royalty, with leases issued in perpetuity, with environmental and other regulations required to pass a benefit/cost test, and with elimination of any nationalistic or other barriers to entry.

Relationship Between Observed Competition and Quantifiable Variables 24 Variables To Be Tested West-Side Working Circles West-Side Master Units 26 East-Side Working Circles Summary Differences in Competition Between Individual Sales Variables To Be Tested 28

No abstract