New Offshore Oil and Gas Lease Schedules Announced
The Interior Department has rolled out new long-term lease schedules for offshore oil and gas sales at Cook Inlet in the Gulf of the U.S. and Alaska.
This decision effectively blocks leases across 625 million acres of federal lands and water bodies, countering an 11-hour drilling halt initiated by the Biden administration.
The Trump administration has plans for four lease sales by August next year, with further sales anticipated before 2028, specifically set for December 10, 2025.
The agency stated, “These scheduled sales provide much-needed clarity and stability to the oil and gas sector and encourage ongoing investment in deep-sea infrastructure, which is vital for national energy resilience.”
Moreover, they highlighted that the Gulf region supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, contributes billions annually to the GDP, and generates significant federal and state revenues. The benefits to economic and energy security from these sales are both immediate and long-term.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), a proponent of the Energy Selection Act in 2025, deemed the Department of the Interior’s decision a significant boost for American energy production.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum commended President Trump’s initiative to reverse Biden’s strategies and promote domestic energy production. “One big, beautiful bill is a groundbreaking step toward unlocking the potential of America’s energy,” Burgum remarked. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting in place bold, long-term programs that will enhance America’s energy autonomy, create well-paying jobs, and ensure responsible development of offshore resources.”
He added, “We are committed to collaborating to make America’s natural resources and innovation more accessible and to demonstrate the strength of these resources for all American families.”
Incorporating at least 30 lease sales in the U.S. Gulf accounts for approximately 14-15% of the nation’s crude oil production and is foundational to offshore energy output.
