The Department of the Interior has issued a new Secretary’s Order, “Unleashing American Offshore Energy,” directing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to end the Biden administration’s 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The order calls for its replacement with an expansive 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program by October 2026.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated, “Offshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of planning, investment, and hard work before barrels reach the market. The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production. By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come.”
The proposed program for 2026–2031 would allow up to 34 potential offshore lease sales in 21 out of 27 existing planning areas across about 1.27 billion acres. This includes regions off Alaska’s coast, seven areas in the Gulf of America, and six along the Pacific coast. A new administrative planning area is also being created in the South-Central Gulf of America.
Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council said, “Offshore oil and gas development requires long-term vision, steady policy, and the confidence for companies to invest in American energy. For years, that confidence was undercut by the Biden Administration’s failed leasing policies. By putting a real leasing plan back on track, we’re restoring energy security, protecting American jobs, and strengthening the nation’s ability to lead on energy for decades to come.”
This move follows Executive Order 14154 as well as Secretary’s Order 3418—both titled “Unleashing American Energy”—which direct Interior bureaus to accelerate responsible energy development under federal law.
Under federal law established by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, such national programs must balance economic needs with environmental considerations when scheduling lease sales.
The proposal is based on public feedback gathered after a request for comments published in April 2025; over 86,000 responses were received from various stakeholders including states and industry representatives.
Public participation will continue during a forthcoming 60-day comment period beginning November 24 when details are published in the Federal Register.
Currently (as of September 1), there are more than two thousand active offshore leases managed by BOEM covering roughly eleven million acres. Offshore drilling supplies around fifteen percent of U.S. domestic oil output; government estimates indicate nearly sixty-nine billion barrels of undiscovered oil remain on these lands along with significant reserves of natural gas.
Inclusion in this proposal does not guarantee that any specific area will be included in final plans or offered for lease; all future sales will require additional review processes including environmental analysis and opportunities for further public input.
More information is available at www.boem.gov/National-Program.
