[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44279-44280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17388]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Notice of Royalty-in-Kind (RIK) Eligible Refiner Program 
Continuation and Sale

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of RIK Eligible Refiner Program Continuation and Sale.

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SUMMARY: On behalf of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), the 
Minerals Management Service (MMS) has made a determination that 
sufficient need exists among eligible refining companies to justify 
taking royalty oil in kind and offering this oil for sale to eligible 
refiners. As a result of this determination, a sale of Federal royalty 
oil for eligible refiners will be held the end of July 2008. Regarding 
this sale of Federal royalty oil, please reference the RIK Invitation 
for Offer, which is located at http://www.mrm.mms.gov/RIKweb/SmallRefiners.htm.

DATES: The sale will be held on August 5-6, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Colin Bosworth, at (303) 231-3186, 
FAX (303) 231-3846, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMS published a notice in the Federal 
Register on January 16, 2008 (73 FR 2938) seeking comments on eligible 
refiners' experience in gaining access to adequate supplies of crude 
oil at equitable prices. The MMS received comments from five eligible 
refiners and one major oil company. Three of the small refiners 
responded that there was a need to continue the RIK eligible refiner 
crude oil program.
    Under 30 CFR 208.4(a), the Secretary determines whether eligible 
refiners have access to adequate supplies of crude oil at equitable 
prices.

[[Page 44280]]

    On behalf of the Secretary, the MMS, based on its analysis, has 
decided at this time to continue the sale of royalty crude oil to 
eligible refiners. The MMM's determination is based on the fact that 
eligible refiners have expressed real concerns about the lack of stable 
access to the marketplace and the significant volatility of oil prices. 
Eligible refiners also continue to play a prominent role in providing 
jet fuel to the U.S. Department of Defense, which makes the eligible 
refiner oil program an important contributor to national security.

    Dated: July 11, 2008.
Gregory J. Gould,
Associate Director for Minerals Revenue Management.
[FR Doc. E8-17388 Filed 7-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P