DOI Announces Offshore Lease Schedule
The Department of the Interior (DOI) shared its long-term offshore lease plan on Tuesday, marking a significant pivot in energy strategy compared to the previous administration’s restrictions on offshore oil and gas leasing.
According to a recent bill, the DOI has laid out a schedule for lease sales in the Cook Inlet and Alaska, which includes four sales by August of next year and another four by the year 2028. While the current administration continues to limit offshore leases, there’s also a push to prohibit drilling on vast areas.
“This new legislation marks a vital step in unlocking America’s energy potential,” remarked Doug Burgham, the Interior Secretary. “With strong leadership, we aim to enhance energy independence, create well-paying jobs, and manage offshore resources sustainably.”
The first sale under this new framework, dubbed “Big Beautiful Gulf 1,” is set to take place on December 10, 2025. The DOI intends to notify the public at least 30 days before this sale through its Office of Marine Energy Management.
The DOI highlighted the promise of the Cook Inlet and Alaska regions for boosting U.S. energy supplies, suggesting that these lease sales could reduce dependence on foreign oil imports, which account for about 14.5% of American oil production as of 2022.
On another note, former President Trump signed a directive aimed at stimulating domestic energy production, declaring a “National Energy Emergency” on his first day back in office. The bill also emphasizes the reopening of quarterly oil and gas lease sales in several Midwest states, aimed at broadening energy opportunities.
