The Louisiana Mineral and Energy Board’s monthly lease sale in August collected more than $3.7 million in bonuses, bringing the fiscal year total to more than $8.3 million.

The board awarded 26 leases covering more than 6,898 acres, out of 39 nominated tracts covering 25,806 acre. It sold leases in Caddo, Calcasieu, DeSoto, Iberville, Jefferson, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Plaquemines, Red River, Sabine and Vermilion parishes.

Of the 26 tracts awarded, 11 were in North Louisiana and 15 were located in the southern parishes.

In the Haynesville Shale the sale paid off big for the the village of South Mansfield, which earned $354,975 for leasing 25.6 acres, the Shreveport Times reported. Mayor Mayor Euricka Mayweather told the paper, “We’re going to spend it wisely. We’re not going to waste any of it.” Classic Petroleum, which bids on behalf of Chesapeake Energy, bid $13,850 an acre for the acreage. The minimum bid had been set at $4,000 per acre.

So far for the 2010-2011 fiscal year the agency has awarded 51 leases covering 8,279 acres for cash payments totaling more than $8.3 million. The fiscal year totals include the most recent sale as well as options exercised and revisions to acreage and cash amounts that may have taken place from the date of the previous sale to the most recent, the board said.

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