R. Daniel Carter recently authored a paper in the Foundation Journal for Natural Resources and Energy Law on the significant economic potential of energy resource development on Indian lands and the regulatory challenges tribes face.
The exploration and extraction of energy resources within Indian country play a vital role in powering our modern world and fostering economic growth. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) reports that oil and gas production on Indian lands has a direct economic contribution of $5.85 billion, a total economic contribution of $10.89 billion, and supports 412,000 jobs. However, substantial untapped reserves remain on tribal and Indian lands, which comprise 2% of the land in the United States, but harbor 20% of the known oil and gas reserves. The extensive regulatory frameworks governing the extraction and management of these resources present a significant barrier to their development. This paper aims to level the playing field for the development of energy resources on Indian lands by demystifying the reporting, notice, and approval requirements associated with oil and gas operations.
Read R. Daniel Carter’s full legal paper titled, "Unlocking the Legal Landscape for Energy Production in Indian Country: Understanding Important Reporting, Notice, and Approval Requirements for Oil and Gas Production on Indian Lands" on the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law's site (FNREL Journal subscription required), LexisNexis, Westlaw or email Daniel directly for a copy.
