If I understand correctly, in mineral prospecting and mining claims, on Alaska state land, if you perform the minimum necessary annual labor, you can sit on the claims forever, without having to actually extract any minerals.  This is in stark contrast to oil and gas leases, where you can invest tons of money, get trapped by a sudden drop in the price, and not be allowed to ride it out until it becomes profitable again.  No wonder the last Cook Inlet lease sale got no takers.  Who wants to spend a ton of money on the small possibility of striking commercial quantities , only to not be able to finance it because the oil is worth less than what it would cost to pump it ... and you will not be allowed to ride it out until it becomes profitable again?  Foreign mining companies have staked huge mineral claims all across Alaska.  The small guy can't hardly find an inch that isn't claimed by them.  So why so lenient to mining companies, and so harsh on small oil companies?  A double standard?