The Weyburn-Estevan area had the third-largest amount of revenue from Crown oil and natural gas rights in Saskatchewan during the April 13 land sale.

The province's department of industry and resources said Thursday about $2.3 million worth of exploration licenses and leases were sold in this corner of the province, out of a total of $12.8 million in revenue from total provincial sales.

The top purchaser of acreage in the Weyburn-Estevan area was Scott Land and Lease Ltd., of Calgary, which spent $627,859 to acquire five lease parcels and three licenses.

The top price paid for a single lease in the area was $108,565, paid by Petroland Services (1986) Ltd., for a 259-hectare parcel located about 31 kms southeast of Weyburn.

The top price paid for a single license in the area was also paid by Scott Land and Lease Ltd., which paid $165,550 for 2.8 hectare block about 21 kms east of Coronach.

Husky Oil Operations Ltd. of Calgary paid the highest dollar per hectare in the area, and in the province, at $2,319 per hectare for a 32-hectare parcel in the Carnduff-Frobisher Beds Pool. The $75,000 parcel is located about six kms southeast of Glen Ewen.

The largest sales of rights and parcels was in the heavy oil areas of Kindersley-Kerrobert, with bonus bid activity of $4.9 million. Lloydminster was next, with $3.5 million. The Swift Current area returned $2.1 million in revenue to the province from this sale.

The next sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights will be held on Tuesday, June 8.