Wichita ? The state of Kansas will join with private companies and the city of Wichita in searching for oil in Sedgwick County.

The Wichita Eagle reported Tuesday the Kansas revenue department will open bids this month for five-year oil and gas lease rights on state-owned land along the Arkansas River.

The 125-acre site is the second drawing attention from mineral explorers along the Arkansas in Sedgwick County.

County recorder of deeds Bill Meek tells The Eagle the number of mineral leases recorded in his office has been surging. Meek says there’s been more filing of lease-related documents in the past year than in the past decade.