The U.S. government confirmed in a court filing it would resume federal oil and gas lease sales — and established a timeline — to comply with a ruling that called for an end to the Biden administration’s moratorium.

federal oil and gas production

Critics, however, noted that Biden administration officials intend to stretch the process out over several months as they simultaneously appeal the court’s order.

The Justice Department, representing the government, said in a filing late Tuesday to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana that federal leasing would resume this year to comply with Judge Terry Doughty’s recent order. The Department of the Interior (DOI) had foreshadowed the move earlier in August.

The court filing said DOI would begin this month preparing for lease sales in...