The Minerals Management Division oversees nearly 2.6 million acres of state-owned mineral interests. The Division’s activities include the evaluation of mineral ownership, the management of mineral interests, and the administration and management of oil and gas, coal, and other mineral leasing. The Division's main sources of income are oil and gas lease bonus payments and royalties.
Oil & Gas Rules, Policies, and Lease Forms
On March 28, 2019, the Board adopted the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands Minerals Policy Manual – Chapter 2, Oil & Gas and amended the Board’s Oil and Gas Lease to reflect these policies. With the Board revising the rules into Board Policies, the Board’s Oil and Gas Lease was revised to reflect the word “policies” instead of “rules and regulations".
Article 85-06, Minerals Management, of the North Dakota Administrative Code became effective January 1, 2020. The Board’s Oil and Gas Lease was revised to reflect the change from the word “policies” to “rules”.
Current Sample Oil and Gas Lease - subject to Article 85-06 of the North Dakota Administrative Rules effective January 1, 2020
Board Mineral Policy Manual - effective March 28, 2019
Old Sample Oil and Gas Lease - subject to Oil and Gas Rules effective July 26, 1979
Oil and Gas Rules - effective July 26, 1979
Upcoming Oil & Gas Lease Auction October 7-14, 2025
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 08:00 am - Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Categories: MineralsThe next Department of Trust Lands oil & gas lease auction will run from October 7-14, 2025.
Register to Bid with Efficient Markets/EnergyNet
Nominate tracts for the auction on the Minerals Application page through our new customer portal.
Nominations may still be submitted this auction round through https://www.land.nd.gov/Minerals/LeaseSearch.
The nomination deadline is August 22, 2025.
Existing & new subscribers to our email list: Although existing subscribers will continue to receive emails about oil & gas lease auctions and other Minerals Management Division updates through the close of the upcoming auction, please create an account on our new customer portal and select your Notification Preferences on your profile to continue to receive our emails. We also welcome new subscribers on our customer portal!