The US Bureau of Land Management started re-issuing the permits last week, after lapses since the end of April when the agency issued an updated environmental impact statement (EIS) for oil and gas development in the area.

 

Platts said about 2,000 applications for drilling permits had been on hold. The new EIS allows 66,000 wells to be drilled in the basin.

 

Under the old EIS fewer wells were permitted, with permits being stopped because quotas had been filled.

 

Platts said three lawsuits were pending challenging the EIS, although the US Bureau of Land Management had not been enjoined from issuing permits.