The year's natural-gas and oil rights sales hit $844 million, producing another banner year for the province.
The total in 2010 is the fourth-best year in the province's history.
The province pockets the money for the sales in B.C.'s northeast region, where the sales produced $42 million in bonus bids in December.
"Despite the pressures of a global recession and the decline in average gas prices, we have reached another strong year in natural gas and petroleum sales," said Energy Minister Steve Thomson. "Industry has come forward with their commitment to produce here in B.C., ensuring the natural gas and petroleum sector will maintain a long-term role in creating jobs and
generating government revenue."
There are two significant natural gas plays in northeastern B.C. - the Horn River basin and the Montney shale play.
Industry explores, develops, produces and markets natural gas and petroleum through the acquisition of tenure agreements with the province. As of November 2010, the number of wells drilled was up 10.3 per cent compared to similar drilling activities in 2009.
The Canadian
Association of Petroleum Producers has forecasted industry investment - an indication of future development and activity - will reach $7 billion this year, up from the $5.2 billion invested in 2009.
