Landbase of Acreage Available for Oil and Gas Leasing, Exploration, and Development in Shawnee, Hoosier, Wayne, and Monongahela National Forests, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia: ABSTRACT

Federal oil and gas leases are being issued again since the passage of the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987. Several National Forests in the Illinois-Indiana-Ohio-West Virginia area have potential for substantial new petroleum and gas discoveries. These forests are located in the Illinois and Appalachian basins. In this paper, the authors try to clarify federal leasing procedures, availability of leasable lands, and operating restrictions on certain areas of the forests.