The BOEM Releases Draft Programmatic EIS for Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sales
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has recently unveiled its Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sales, following the Department of the Interior’s publication of the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program in December 2023.
This new program marks a significant shift in U.S. energy policy, with the smallest number of oil and gas lease sales ever included in a five-year program. The plan strategically focuses on three locations in the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Atlantic, Pacific, and Alaskan waters.
BOEM stated, “This Programmatic EIS is expected to inform the decision for the first GOM oil and gas lease sale proposed in the Leasing Program. It is also expected to be used and supplemented as appropriate for decisions on future proposed GOM lease sales.” The assessment will guide future lease sales and support post-lease activities.
An important provision in the Inflation Reduction Act maintains a balance between traditional and renewable energy development, requiring BOEM to offer at least 60 million acres for oil and gas leasing before issuing any offshore wind development leases. The legal foundation for these decisions stems from Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act.
Transition in Energy Policy
The draft Programmatic EIS is introduced amidst the upcoming Trump Administration’s plans to accelerate offshore oil and gas development and limit offshore wind development. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to focus on approving export permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and expanding oil drilling off the U.S. coast and federal lands.
This energy shift could present a contrast to the Biden Administration’s energy transition policies, emphasizing the importance of balancing energy needs with environmental considerations.
BOEM’s Gulf of Mexico Lease Auction
In December 2023, a BOEM auction of Gulf of Mexico drilling rights raised $382 million, marking the highest total from a federal offshore oil and gas lease sale since 2015. Oil companies bid on offshore acreage for the final time until 2025, reflecting the industry’s interest in securing future exploration opportunities.