30 CFR § 556.600 - What is the primary term of my oil and gas lease?
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t30/s556.600"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "30 CFR § 556.600 - What is the primary term of my oil and gas lease?"
title_number: 30
title_name: "Mineral Resources"
section_number: "556.600"
section_name: "What is the primary term of my oil and gas lease?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "OFFSHORE"
part_number: "556"
part_name: "LEASING OF SULFUR OR OIL AND GAS AND FINANCIAL ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 6213; 43 U.S.C. 1334."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 18152, Mar. 30, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "556"
---
# 556.600 What is the primary term of my oil and gas lease?
(a) The primary term of an oil and gas lease will be five years, unless BOEM determines that:
(1) The lease is located in unusually deep water or involves other unusually adverse conditions; and,
(2) A lease term longer than five years is necessary to explore and develop the lease.
(b) If BOEM determines that the criteria in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section are met, it may specify a longer primary term, not to exceed 10 years.
(c) BOEM will specify the primary term in the final notice of sale and in the lease instrument.
(d) The lease will expire at the end of the primary term, unless maintained beyond that term in accordance with the provisions of § 556.601.