Offshore Section 8(g)
Natural Gas and Oil Leases

The 1978 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act Amendments provided for certain coastal states and the federal government to share revenues earned from OCS leases.  These leases are generally  three to six miles beyond the state's coastal boundary, which is typically located three miles from shore.  This three-mile wide area is known as the 8(g) zone.

The 1986 amendments to the OCS Lands Act require that the affected coastal state will receive 27 percent of the revenues generated from the leasing and development of oil and natural gas resources located in the Federal 8(g) zone.  

Alaska has received $505.4 million or 17.4% of the total revenues disbursed between fiscal years 1986 - 2000.