FEBRUARY 9, 2005 LEASE SALE
NOMINATION PERIOD CHANGE

At the July 14, 2004 Mineral Board meeting a resolution was made to reduce the time interval between nominating a tract for lease and the lease sale where that tract is offered for lease.

This change will become effective with the February 9, 2005 lease sale nominations reducing the time interval from approximately 108 days to 80 days.

Under the current process the nomination period for the February 9, 2005 lease sale is September 28, 2004 thru October 25, 2004. The new period will be changed to September 28, 2004 thru November 22, 2004.

The nomination period October 26, 2004 thru November 22, 2004, which was for the March 9, 2005 lease sale, will also be for the February 9, 2005 lease sale.

So, under the new process the nomination period for the February 9, 2005 lease sale will be September 28, 2004 thru November 22, 2004.

The nomination period for the march 9, 2005 lease sale will be changed to November 23, 2004 thru December 27, 2004.