---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 C.F.R. § 556.600"
title: "30"
number: "556.600"
heading: "What is the primary term of my oil and gas lease?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/30/556.600"
---

# §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)](#a-1) and [(2)](#a-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](/cfr/30/556.601.md).

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 6213; 43 U.S.C. 1334.

### Source

Source: 81 FR 18152, Mar. 30, 2016, unless otherwise noted.