The Salamanca floating production unit, a refurbished offshore platform in the Gulf of America, has begun producing oil under the supervision of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). This project is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to increase domestic energy production through its “Unleashing American Energy” agenda. The initiative aims to develop oil resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf while maintaining regulatory oversight.
“These developments underscore the success of American Energy Dominance policies in not only expanding domestic energy supplies and creating jobs but also in boosting the economy and reducing reliance on foreign oil – all while maintaining the highest safety and environmental standards,” said Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Leslie Beyer.
In 2025, BSEE has overseen several significant projects in the Gulf. Shell's Whale platform started operations in January with a peak design capacity of 100,000 barrels per day. Beacon Offshore Energy’s Shenandoah project began producing oil and natural gas in July from Walker Ridge off Louisiana, with a capacity for 120,000 barrels per day. Chevron’s Ballymore field came online in April as a subsea tie-back, adding up to 75,000 barrels daily.
LLOG Exploration’s Salamanca hub stands out as it is the first instance where a decommissioned floating production unit was refurbished instead of building new infrastructure. The upgraded facility can produce about 66,000 barrels per day. BSEE conducted thorough safety reviews before allowing operations to begin.
“We're seeing the payoff of a bold offshore energy blueprint,” said Beyer. “From cutting-edge deepwater platforms to creative reuse of existing units, industry is answering the call to maximize domestic oil production. Under President Trump's leadership, the Gulf is again proving itself as a cornerstone of American energy security, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.”
Offshore oil production resumed this year in California’s Pacific Outer Continental Shelf after ten years with Platform Harmony at Santa Ynez Unit restarting operations following inspections by BSEE. In Alaska’s Beaufort Sea Arctic region, BSEE continues oversight at Northstar Unit.
According to BSEE officials, these increases in offshore output are linked directly to policy changes since President Trump took office that encouraged new projects while maintaining safety requirements.
The agency introduced initiatives such as “Dominance by Design,” which aims to modernize oversight and speed up approvals for major projects through collaboration with industry partners.
“BSEE’s role is to make sure offshore energy projects advance safely and responsibly,” said BSEE Principal Deputy Director Kenneth Stevens. “The start-up of Salamanca, the resumption of Pacific production, and ongoing oversight in the Arctic show that we can and will expand domestic resources while protecting workers, communities, and the environment.”
BSEE states it will continue providing regulatory guidance across all regions as new projects come online or resume operation.
