Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum recently directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to kickstart the public engagement process for the development of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program.

Secretary Burgum emphasized the importance of securing American energy dominance through responsible offshore energy development, job creation, economic growth, and strengthening energy independence under President Trump’s leadership.

The National Ocean Industries Association also commended the administration’s actions, highlighting the essential role of the Gulf of America in contributing to the nation’s economy and energy security.

BOEM will soon publish a Request for Information and Comments on the 11th National OCS Program in the Federal Register, initiating a 45-day public comment period to gather input from stakeholders.

Notably, BOEM’s jurisdiction on the OCS has expanded with the establishment of a new planning area in the High Arctic and updates to existing planning area boundaries to align with revised jurisdiction.

As part of the planning process, the Department of the Interior must solicit input from interested parties, and the RFI does not propose a specific timeline for future lease sales but invites stakeholders to provide recommendations and identify potential areas for leasing.

The OCS plays a crucial role in America’s energy security, with active leases covering millions of acres and generating significant revenue for the government while supporting numerous jobs.

BOEM’s most recent assessment indicates vast undiscovered energy resources in the OCS, highlighting the potential for future exploration and production.

For more information on the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program, visit BOEM’s website.