The United States is moving to revise its current offshore oil and gas leasing program as part of a renewed push for energy independence and economic growth. Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the initiative aims to supersede the scaled-back leasing plan set under the previous administration. The ongoing effort is closely aligned with the Trump administration’s broader “energy dominance” strategy, which prioritizes expanding domestic energy production, particularly in offshore territories.
This policy shift comes in response to constraints imposed by the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which required the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to auction at least 60 million acres for oil and gas leasing before any offshore energy wind development leases could be issued. The current 2024–2029 leasing program, finalized in December 2023, allows for only three lease sales in the Gulf of America—formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico—scheduled for 2025, 2027, and 2029. This marked the lowest number of lease sales in the history of such five-year programs.
Now, BOEM is preparing for its first lease sale under the existing program in June 2025. An updated analysis revealed a notable increase in estimated reserves in the Gulf of America, with 7.04 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) now projected—an increase of 22.6% since 2021. This includes 5.77 billion barrels of oil and over 7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Launch of the 11th National OCS Leasing Program
In a decisive move, the DOI has initiated the public process to create the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which will eventually replace the current five-year plan. A request for information and public comments will soon be published in the Federal Register, kicking off a 45-day engagement period. The aim is to gather input from stakeholders, coastal communities, industry representatives, and environmental groups on the future of offshore leasing.
The new program will assess all 27 OCS planning areas, including a newly established High Arctic zone off Alaska, and update existing planning area boundaries to reflect BOEM’s revised jurisdiction. While the request does not detail specific lease sale dates or locations, it signals a broader commitment to expanding offshore leasing opportunities and revisiting regions previously excluded from development.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized the strategic importance of this effort, calling it “a decisive step toward securing American Energy Dominance.” He highlighted the administration’s commitment to a transparent and responsible leasing process that fosters economic growth, job creation, and energy security.
Offshore Energy’s Growing National Role
The DOI asserts that the OCS is a vital national resource, providing nearly 14% of domestic oil production and 2% of natural gas output during fiscal year 2024. Offshore Energy leases generated $7 billion in federal revenue that year alone and supported thousands of high-paying jobs across the U.S. The BOEM currently manages over 2,200 active leases, covering more than 12 million acres.
Industry leaders, including the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), have welcomed the move, seeing it as a long-awaited opportunity to restore confidence and predictability in offshore energy investments. NOIA believes the expanded leasing framework will offer the long-term stability that companies, workers, and coastal communities depend on.
The Trump administration continues to champion domestic energy development as central to American economic strength and global influence. Under Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” the government reaffirmed its goal to maximize energy exploration and production on federal lands and waters, framing it as essential to national prosperity.
With the groundwork now laid for a revitalized offshore energy leasing framework, the U.S. is once again positioning itself to lead in global energy markets while promising secure, affordable energy for future generations.
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