Effects of Increasing Filing Fees for Noncompetitive Onshore Oil and Gas Leases

In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the Department of the Interior's action which increased from $25 to $75 the fee charged to applicants filing for noncompetitive onshore oil and gas leases. Specifically, GAO considered: (1) Interior's basis for establishing the higher filing fee; (2) the expected number of lease filings at the higher rate and the higher rate's effect on revenues; and (3) the possible impact on leasing participants and related implications for reducing fraud, development delays, and the administrative burden.