This week, the Department of the Interior issued the Draft Proposed Program for the next five year federal offshore oil and gas leasing program, and the response from industry has been positive…
This week, the Department of the Interior issued the Draft Proposed Program for the next five year federal offshore oil and gas leasing program, and the response from industry has been positive.
Under the new proposal for the 2026–2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, Interior includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 21 of 27 existing Outer Continental Shelf planning areas, covering approximately 1.27 billion acres. That includes 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of America, and six along the Pacific coast.
The proposal also includes the Secretary’s decision to create a new administrative planning area, the South-Central Gulf of America.
In response, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito said: "The Gulf of America remains the gold standard for offshore energy: driving prolific production, supporting good-paying jobs, bolstering local and national supply chains, funding conservation programs nationwide, and anchoring U.S. energy security.
"While the Central and Western Gulf, now designated as GOA Program Area A, remain core areas for investment and energy production, a forward-looking approach that evaluates new areas ensures the U.S. remains competitive and secure in meeting future energy needs. Energy demand is on the
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