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Glossary
8(g)
The 8(g) zone is the offshore region within three miles of a state shoreline. A portion (27%) of revenue from production in the 8(g) zone is distributed to the respective states that border the zone. The 8(g) zone is named for the section within the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that designates it.
Abandoned mine land fee
A fee for current day coal production that funds reclamation of mines abandoned before 1977.
Accounting year
This data is based on transactions that were reported to and accepted into ONRR’s financial system in a given a year. Since companies are allowed to adjust and correct data up to seven years after a transaction takes place, accounting year data can include corrections for sales that took place in previous years. This data is most useful when analyzing dollars ONRR collected and disbursed in a given year.
Acquired lands
Acquired lands are public lands that were obtained by the federal government through purchase, condemnation, gift, or exchange.
Acquisition fee
A fee for securing an uncompetitive lease in place of a bonus.
Annual fee
A yearly maintenance fee for maintaining a claim.
APD
Application for permit to drill
Appropriation
There are two main congressional actions that result in federal spending: authorization and appropriation. A fund or recipient may be authorized to receive money during the federal budget process, but Congress must still designate a specific amount to be distributed to the fund or recipient. This process is called “appropriation”.
Authorization
An act of Congress to obligate funding for a program or agency. An authorization may be effective for one year, a fixed number of years, or an indefinite period. An authorization may be for a definite amount of money or for 'such sums as may be necessary.' The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization and then appropriation.
Barrel
In the U.S., an oil barrel is defined as 42 US gallons, and abbreviated as bbl.
bbl
Abbreviation for a unit of measurement of oil. One bbl, or oil barrel, is defined as 42 US gallons.
Biomass
Organic nonfossil matter used as fuel. Sources of biomass include wood, wood waste products, biofuel, and many plant-based materials.
BLM
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and manages exploration, development, and production of natural resources on federal lands.
BOEM
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is responsible for managing the development of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
Bonus
The amount the highest bidder paid for a natural resource lease.
BSEE
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is charged with promoting safety, protecting the environment, and conserving resources offshore through regulatory oversight and enforcement.
Calendar year (CY)
The calendar year runs from January 1 through December 31. The two annual time periods for reporting data are calendar year and fiscal year.
Claim-staking fee
A fee that covers the government’s administrative costs in the claim-staking process for mining on federal lands.
Coastal political subdivision
A state's political subdivision, such as a county, parish, borough, or city. The political subdivision must be within the coastal zone as defined in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
Civil society
People and organizations not associated with industry or government, such as trade unions, issue-based coalitions, faith-based organizations, indigenous-peoples movements, the media, think tanks, and foundations.
Crude oil
Oil is that is not treated or refined.
Direct use
Geothermal energy (hot water near the surface of the earth) can be used directly for heating buildings, drying crops, heating water, and other industrial processes.
Disbursement
After collecting revenue from natural resource extraction, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) distributes that money to different agencies, funds, and local governments for public use. This process is called “disbursement.”
Dry natural gas
Natural gas that remains after removing the liquefiable hydrocarbon portion from the gas stream (i.e., gas after lease, field, or plant separation) and after removing any quantities of nonhydrocarbon gases that render the gas unmarketable.
DOI
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet-level agency responsible for managing America’s natural and cultural resources.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A document intended to provide decision makers and the public with information about the potential impacts of major federal actions and alternatives to them. Federal agencies prepare an EIS if a proposed federal action is determined to significantly affect the quality of the human environment, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
EITI Standard
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Standard is an international standard for openness around the management of revenue from natural resources. Governments disclose how much they receive from extractive companies operating in their country and these companies disclose how much they pay. Governments sign up to implement the EITI Standard and must meet seven requirements. In 2017, the U.S. withdrew from EITI as an Implementing Country, but remains committed to institutionalizing the EITI principles of transparency and accountability.
Extractive industry
Oil, gas, and mining industries that extract natural resources.
Fair market value
The estimated price for a natural resource lease, based on the government’s analysis and the geological resources on the lands or waters.
Federal land
Lands and waters owned by the federal government, including public domain lands, acquired lands, and the Outer Continental Shelf.
Fiscal year (FY)
The federal government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. The two annual time periods for reporting data are calendar year and fiscal year.
Fossil fuel
An energy source formed in the Earth’s crust from decayed organic material. Common fossil fuels include oil, gas, and coal.
Fractionation
The division of ownership among multiple individuals.
GOMESA
The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) of 2006 directs a portion of revenue from gulf oil and gas royalties to the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The act also directs a portion of gulf revenue be disbursed to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
A measure of the total value of goods and services produced in a specific area. The Bureau of Economic Analysis measures GDP by adding up the “real value added” for each industry that contributes to the U.S. economy.
Hydraulic fracturing
A well development process that involves injecting water under high pressure into a bedrock formation through the well, to increase the size and extent of existing bedrock fractures.
IMDA
The Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982, which increased Indian self-governance concerning extraction.
Independent Administrator (IA)
The EITI International Board requires participating countries to appoint an Independent Administrator to help apply the international standards. The USEITI Independent Administrator is Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Indian lands
Lands owned by Native Americans, including tribal lands held in trust by the federal government for a tribe’s use, Indian allotments held in trust by the federal government for individual use, and lands held by Alaska Native corporations.
Kilowatt hour (kWh)
A measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for 1 hour; abbreviated as kWh.
kWh
Abbreviation for “kilowatt hour,” a measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for 1 hour.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Provides matching grants to states and local governments to buy and develop public outdoor recreation areas across the 50 states.
Lease
A contract that allows a company to be the exclusive entity that can apply to explore for and extract natural resources within a specific tract of federal lands or waters.
Lease condensate
Light liquid hydrocarbons recovered from oil and natural gas wells during production.
Locatable minerals
Locatable minerals are minerals that may be “located” and obtained by filing a mining claim. Locatable minerals include gold, silver, copper, lead, and many other metallic and nonmetallic minerals.
long ton
A long ton (also known as “imperial ton” or “displacement ton”) is 2,240 pounds, compared to a conventional ton (or “short ton”), which is 2,000 pounds.
Margin of variance
The percentage difference that the USEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group defined as significant for each revenue type as part of the reconciliation process.
Material variance
A discrepancy between government-reported and company-reported revenue payments that is considered significant by the Independent Administrator. Margins of variance vary by revenue type, and were approved by the Multi-Stakeholder Group as part of the USEITI process.
mcf
1000 cubic feet, a unit of measure for natural gas.
Megawatt Capacity (MC) fee
A revenue payment for the calculated value of electricity generated on federal lands.
Megawatt hours
One megawatt is equivalent to one million watts. One megawatt hour (abbreviated as Mwh) is equivalent to 1,000 Kilowatt hours.
Metric ton
One metric ton is equal to 2240 pounds. To convert metric tons to tons, multiply by 1.1023. To convert tons to metric tons, multiply by 0.9072.
Millage tax
A millage tax is a property tax based on the assessed value of a property. Millage tax rates are quantified in terms of mills: One mill is worth 1/1000 of a dollar, or $0.001.
Mill levy
A mill levy is calculated by determining how much revenue each taxing jurisdiction will need for the upcoming year, then dividing that projection by the total value of the property within the area.
Mill rate
A mill rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar on the assessed value of a property. Each mill is worth one-tenth of a cent, or $0.001.
Mineral acres
Sometimes the land’s surface owner is different from the owner of the minerals in the ground below. For instance, a state might retain mineral rights when it sells or swaps land.
Mineral resource potential
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, mineral resource potential is the likelihood for the occurrence of undiscovered mineral resources in a defined area.
Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG)
A cross-sector body comprised of members and alternates from government, industry, and civil society organizations commissioned by the Secretary of the Interior to guide and monitor EITI implementation.
Natural gas liquids (NGL)
Natural gas liquids, such as ethane, propane, and butane, are byproducts of wet natural gas. These liquid hydrocarbons are separated from the gas stream close to the well or at a processing plant.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
The standard used by federal agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. economy.
ONRR
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is responsible for collecting, disbursing, and verifying federal and Indian energy and other natural resource revenue.
Operating fee
A fee for a percentage of the anticipated value of wind energy produced on federal waters.
Outer Continental Shelf
The part of the continental shelf under federal jurisdiction, seaward of the line that marks state ownership, often three miles off a state’s coastline.
OSMRE
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is responsible for regulating surface coal mining in the United States, as well as funding the restoration of abandoned coal mines.
OST
The Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) is part of the Department of the Interior and is responsible for stewardship of assets held in trust on behalf of American Indians.
Paying quantities
Quantities of oil or gas that are sufficient to yield a profit to the lease holder over operating expenses, even though the drilling costs or equipping costs are never recovered, and even if the undertaking as a whole may result in a loss to the lease holder.
Petroleum products
Products come from processing crude oil (including lease condensate), natural gas, and other hydrocarbon compounds. These include unfinished oils, liquefied petroleum gases, pentanes plus, aviation gasoline, motor gasoline, naphtha-type jet fuel, kerosene-type jet fuel, kerosene, distillate fuel oil, residual fuel oil, petrochemical feedstocks, special naphthas, lubricants, waxes, petroleum coke, asphalt, road oil, still gas, and miscellaneous products.
Play
A group of oil and gas fields in the same region formed by the same geological processes.
Private lands
Lands owned by citizens or corporations.
Production
We use the term “production” as a catch-all term for mining, drilling, energy generation, and other forms of natural resource extraction. There is no distinction between “extraction” and “production” in ONRR or EIA datasets.
Proved reserves
Quantities of natural resources that, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations.
Public domain lands
Public domain lands are lands that have belonged to the federal government since they were obtained from the 13 original colonies, from Native American tribes, or through purchases from other countries, and have not been dedicated to a specific use.
Reclamation
The process of restoring the surface environment to acceptable pre-existing conditions, including surface contouring, equipment removal, well plugging, and revegetation.
Rent
An annual payment for leasing lands or waters before production starts.
Renewable energy
Energy resources that are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. These include biomass, hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action energy.
Resource advisory council (RAC)
A group of 12 to 15 members with diverse interests in local communities, such as ranchers, environmental groups, tribes, state and local government officials, academics, and other public land users.
Royalty
A payment for extracted natural resources, determined by a percentage of the resources’ production value.
Standard Occupation Classification
A system used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data.
State or local lands
Lands owned by state or local governments.
Split estate
A land parcel that has surface rights and subsurface rights (such as the rights to develop minerals) owned by different parties.
Subsurface rights
A lease holder’s right to use as much of the land beneath the surface as necessary to operate under the lease.
Subsurface mining
Underground mining, which has different and more labor intensive techniques than surface mining.
Surface rights
A leaseholder’s right to use as much of the surface of the land as necessary to operate under the lease.
Tax expenditures
Revenue lossess attributed to provisions of federal tax laws that allow a special exclusion, exemption, or deduction from gross income, or which provide a special credit, a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability.
Tickets/pounds
Some minerals, such as quartz crystal, are sold in relatively small quantities in gift shops and tourist attractions. In some cases, tourists can buy admission tickets to dig for their own minerals. For those transactions, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue may collect royalties on the admission tickets, not on the weight of minerals collected. Furthermore, some minerals are sold by quality, not by weight. The unit “tickets/pounds” shows quantities measured in both tickets sold and weight sold, combined.
Ton
In the U.S., one ton is 2,000 pounds. In some countries this is referred to as a short ton.
Trust land
Land for which the federal government holds title to the land but the beneficial interest remains with a Native American individual or tribe.
Unorganized land
In Alaska, over half of land is not contained in any of its 19 organized boroughs. This land (collectively called the Unorganized Borough) is divided into 10 census areas for statistical purposes.
Variance floor
During the reconciliation process, only variances between reported numbers that exceed a minimum dollar amount are investigated by the Independent Administrator.
Wet gas
Natural gas that hasn’t been treated to remove liquid hydrocarbons or other nonhydrocarbons that make the gas unmarketable.
Withheld
We refer to data as “withheld” when publishing that data could violate federal laws and regulations. Most commonly, we withhold data if it can be used to personally identify individuals, or if the data is protected by the Trade Secrets Act. In the latter case, data is often withheld when there is only one company producing a specific commodity within a specific region. We withhold all location data for Native American production, revenue, and disbursements.
Federal land represents 2.6% of all land in Alabama.
2 energy or mineral commodities were produced on federal land in Alabama in calendar year 2018.
1 commodity was withheld in 2018.
Production on federal land in Alabama resulted in $5,611,654 in calendar year 2019 revenue.
Revenue from federal land resulted in $34,037,446 disbursed from the federal government to Alabama in fiscal year 2019.
Alabama also borders an offshore area with significant natural resource extraction, which may contribute to the state’s economy. For production and revenue data about offshore extraction near Alabama, see the Gulf of Mexico.
0 tons of coal were produced on federal land in Alabama in 2018.There is no data about production of coal in 2018.
County production
County production of coal in 2018 (tons)There is no county-level data for Alabama in 2018.County-level data for 2018 is withheld.
County
tons of coal
Gas
9,932,491 mcf of gas were produced on federal land in Alabama in 2018.There is no data about production of gas in 2018.
County production
County production of gas in 2018 (mcf)There is no county-level data for Alabama in 2018.County-level data for 2018 is withheld.
County
mcf of gas
Baldwin County
42,689
42,689
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Baldwin County in 2018 is withheld.42,689 mcf of gas were produced in Baldwin County in 2018.
Escambia County
4,242
4,242
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Escambia County in 2018 is withheld.4,242 mcf of gas were produced in Escambia County in 2018.
Lamar County
73
73
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Lamar County in 2018 is withheld.73 mcf of gas were produced in Lamar County in 2018.
Mobile County
9,658,875
9,658,875
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Mobile County in 2018 is withheld.9,658,875 mcf of gas were produced in Mobile County in 2018.
Tuscaloosa County
226,610
226,610
Data about gas extraction on federal land in Tuscaloosa County in 2018 is withheld.226,610 mcf of gas were produced in Tuscaloosa County in 2018.
Oil
18,306 barrels of oil were produced on federal land in Alabama in 2018.There is no data about production of oil in 2018.
County production
County production of oil in 2018 (bbl)There is no county-level data for Alabama in 2018.County-level data for 2018 is withheld.
County
barrels of oil
Baldwin County
18
18
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Baldwin County in 2018 is withheld.18 barrels of oil were produced in Baldwin County in 2018.
Escambia County
14,210
14,210
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Escambia County in 2018 is withheld.14,210 barrels of oil were produced in Escambia County in 2018.
Lamar County
511
511
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Lamar County in 2018 is withheld.511 barrels of oil were produced in Lamar County in 2018.
Mobile County
2,160
2,160
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Mobile County in 2018 is withheld.2,160 barrels of oil were produced in Mobile County in 2018.
Covington County
1,341
1,341
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Covington County in 2018 is withheld.1,341 barrels of oil were produced in Covington County in 2018.
Conecuh County
64
64
Data about oil extraction on federal land in Conecuh County in 2018 is withheld.64 barrels of oil were produced in Conecuh County in 2018.
Revenue
Companies pay a wide range of fees, rates, and taxes to extract natural resources in the United States. What companies pay to federal, state, and local governments often depends on who owns the natural resources.
Federal revenue
Natural resource extraction can lead to federal revenue in two ways: non-tax revenue and tax revenue. Revenue data on this site primarily includes non-tax revenue from extractive industry activities on federal land.
Revenue from production on federal land by resource
When companies extract natural resources on federal lands and waters , they pay royalties, rents, bonuses, and other fees, much like they would to any landowner . This non-tax revenue is collected and reported by the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR).
For details about the laws and policies that govern how rights are awarded to companies and what they pay to extract natural resources on federal land : coal, oil and gas, renewable resources, and hardrock minerals.
The federal government collects different kinds of fees at each phase of natural resource extraction . This chart shows how much federal revenue was collected in calendar year (CY)2019 for production or potential production of natural resources on federal land in Alabama, broken down by phase of production.
Royalty rates are determined by leasing officers on an individual case basis (no minimums apply)
All commodities
All commodities $5,611,654
$407,634
$59,656
$5,145,003
($639)
Other revenue streams
Hardrock mining on public domain lands
Federal revenue from hardrock mining on public domain land occurs through the claim-staking process and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is not included here, because the dataset does not have state-level data. Learn more about hardrock mining on federal land.
Onshore solar and wind energy
Federal revenue from onshore renewable energy generation on federal land is not included here, because that dataset, from BLM, does not have state-level data. Learn more about onshore renewables on federal land.
To see how much was collected nationwide for all revenue types, including BLM revenues, see federal revenue by company.
Revenue from production on federal land by county
Most non-tax revenue collected by ONRR comes from counties with significant natural resources on federal land.
Companies paid 5,611,654 to produce natural resources on federal land in Alabama in 2019.There is no data about revenue from natural resources on federal land in Alabama in 2019.
Revenue collected by county
Revenue by county in 2019There is no county-level data for Alabama in 2019.County-level data for 2019 is withheld.
County
Revenue
Baldwin County
1025
1025
Data about revenue on federal land in Baldwin in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 1025 to extract natural resources on federal land in Baldwin County in 2019.
Bibb County
3584
3584
Data about revenue on federal land in Bibb in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 3584 to extract natural resources on federal land in Bibb County in 2019.
Blount County
642
642
Data about revenue on federal land in Blount in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 642 to extract natural resources on federal land in Blount County in 2019.
Clarke County
82
82
Data about revenue on federal land in Clarke in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 82 to extract natural resources on federal land in Clarke County in 2019.
Conecuh County
3866
3866
Data about revenue on federal land in Conecuh in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 3866 to extract natural resources on federal land in Conecuh County in 2019.
Covington County
40623
40623
Data about revenue on federal land in Covington in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 40623 to extract natural resources on federal land in Covington County in 2019.
Escambia County
118854
118854
Data about revenue on federal land in Escambia in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 118854 to extract natural resources on federal land in Escambia County in 2019.
Jefferson County
5346050
5346050
Data about revenue on federal land in Jefferson in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 5346050 to extract natural resources on federal land in Jefferson County in 2019.
Lamar County
3512
3512
Data about revenue on federal land in Lamar in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 3512 to extract natural resources on federal land in Lamar County in 2019.
Mobile County
25704
25704
Data about revenue on federal land in Mobile in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 25704 to extract natural resources on federal land in Mobile County in 2019.
Pickens County
400
400
Data about revenue on federal land in Pickens in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 400 to extract natural resources on federal land in Pickens County in 2019.
Shelby County
76
76
Data about revenue on federal land in Shelby in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 76 to extract natural resources on federal land in Shelby County in 2019.
Tuscaloosa County
67233
67233
Data about revenue on federal land in Tuscaloosa in 2019 is withheld.Companies paid 67233 to extract natural resources on federal land in Tuscaloosa County in 2019.
Federal tax revenue
Individuals and corporations (specifically C-corporations) pay income taxes to the IRS. The federal corporate income tax rate tops out at 21%. Public policy provisions, such as tax expenditures, can decrease corporate income tax and other revenue payments in order to promote other policy goals.
We don’t have detailed data about federal, state, or local revenue from natural resource extraction on land owned by Alabama, corporations, or individuals. However, companies generally must pay state and local taxes.
Disbursements
Federal disbursements
After collecting revenue from natural resource extraction, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue distributes that money to different agencies, funds, and local governments for public use. This process is called “disbursement.”
Most federal revenue disbursements go into national funds. For detailed data about which expenditures and projects from those national funds are in Alabama, see nationwide federal disbursements.
ONRR also disburses some revenue from natural resource extraction to state governments. In 2019, ONRR disbursed $34,037,446 to Alabama. This included revenues from both onshore and offshore extraction in or near Alabama:
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