Saskatchewan's latest sale of oil and natural gas rights has pumped $109 million into the province's coffers.
This month's government-hosted auction included 16 oil and gas drilling licenses that sold for $26.2 million. Meanwhile, 311 lease parcels brought in $82.5 million in bonus bids.
The Shaunavon oil play was at the centre of the bidding frenzy, accounting for more than half of the revenues from the land sale.
Other locations of interest included the Weyburn and Estevan areas, which attracted $40.4 million in bids.
The Kindersley and Kerrobert areas netted $7.8 million, while sales in the Lloydminster area totaled $4 million.
A 2,331-hectare drilling license southwest of Estevan fetched the highest price paid for a single parcel at the auction at $7.3 million. Husky Oil Operations Ltd. was the winning bidder.
Villanova Oil Corp. shelled out the most cash for a parcel on a per-hectare basis at $10,214 for a 31-hectare lease near Carnduff.
In addition, a special exploratory permit block west of Hudson Bay attracted a $200,000 work commitment bid from Lane Land Services Ltd.
The next sale of oil and gas rights is slated for June 6.
