Reports

Alleged Bribery of a BLM Field Inspector

We investigated allegations that an oil and gas company incorrectly adjusted oil and gas reporting and failed to apply the proper pricing for minerals produced from leases in New Mexico, potentially resulting in a loss of royalties. We determined that the alleged conduct occurred outside the 5-year statute of limitations for criminal conduct and would be appropriately addressed through administrative enforcement actions and orders. As a result, we referred the matter to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR).

We investigated allegations that an oil and gas company improperly reported oil and gas production from Federal leases to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), which resulted in a loss of public mineral royalties. We found the company failed to properly report production and mineral royalties to ONRR as alleged, but we did not find the company intended to defraud the Government. The improper reporting occurred because the company did not provide adequate lease production information to the contractor it hired to perform the production and royalty reporting.

Issues Identified with State Land Reconciliation for WSFR Program Grants