The U.S. Interior Department Seeks Public Input for New Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program

The U.S. Interior Department announced on Friday that it would be soliciting public input for a new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program. This program could potentially include new zones in the Arctic and other areas to maximize energy development in the United States.

President Donald Trump has directed government agencies to explore ways to increase the already record high levels of oil and gas production in the country. He believes that previous administrations have hindered drilling activities in an effort to combat climate change. As part of this directive, Trump has overturned former President Joe Biden’s initiatives to prohibit oil drilling in the Arctic and along significant portions of the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific coastlines.

“Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, we are unlocking the full potential of our offshore resources to benefit the American people for generations to come,” stated Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in a press release.

The Interior Department has initiated a 45-day public comment period to kickstart the development of the new five-year plan. While no specific timeline or locations for new leasing auctions have been proposed, stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback, recommendations, and raise concerns regarding potential leasing opportunities.

It was highlighted that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, under Interior’s jurisdiction, has identified a new planning area in the High Arctic. Additionally, the boundaries of other outer continental shelf planning areas are being revised, indicating the possibility of new acreage becoming available for drilling activities.

Despite these potential changes, the drilling auctions scheduled by the Biden administration in the Gulf of Mexico, referred to as the Gulf of America by the Trump administration, will proceed as planned in the coming years.

Offshore leases currently contribute to approximately 14% of U.S. crude oil production, according to the Interior Department.

(Source: Reuters – Reporting by Richard Valdmanis, Editing by Franklin Paul)