43 CFR § 3251.14 - Do I need a bond for conducting exploration operations?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t43/s3251.14"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "43 CFR § 3251.14 - Do I need a bond for conducting exploration operations?"
title_number: 43
title_name: "Public Lands: Interior"
section_number: "3251.14"
section_name: "Do I need a bond for conducting exploration operations?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000)"
part_number: "3200"
part_name: "GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE LEASING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "30 U.S.C. 1001-1028; 43 U.S.C. 1701  and Pub. L. 109-58."
regulatory_source: "72 FR 24400, May 2, 2007, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "3200"
---


# 3251.14 Do I need a bond for conducting exploration operations?

(a) You must not start any exploration operations on BLM-managed lands until we approve your bond. You may meet the requirement for an exploration bond in two ways:

(1) If you have an existing nationwide or statewide oil and gas exploration bond, provide a rider in an amount we have specified to include geothermal resources exploration operations; or

(2) If you must file a new bond for geothermal exploration, the minimum amounts are:

(i) $5,000 for a single operation;

(ii) $25,000 for all of your operations within a state; and

(iii) $50,000 for all of your operations on public lands nationwide.

(b) See subparts 3214 and 3215 for additional details on bonding procedures.