The Division of Oil and Gas in Alaska has received more than 300 bids in its latest round of lease sales.
The application for land include 57 bids in the Beaufort Sea, two bids in the North Slope foothills and 297 bids in the North Slope itself.
Last year, the division received only 92 for the whole year in comparison with 356 in 2014.
The deadline for submitting bids was on Monday, and the bid opening for purchase is being held today.