B.C. walked away empty-handed from its monthly sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights this week.

Just a single 1,116-hectare lease near near Laprise Creek and Birley Creek was put up for this month's sale, held March 27. There were no bids.

It's the second $0 land sale in three years, after the province recorded a zero on the ledger in February 2016.

Industry picked up four leases and one drilling licence for $2.04 million in January. There were zero parcels posted for sale in February.

The next sale is scheduled for April 24, with five leases and one drilling licence on offer.

— Alaska Highway News