Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) aims to manage the development of US Outer Continental Shelf energy, mineral and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.

News

The proposed sale, part of a broader push to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals, is tentatively set for December 16, 2026.
Aug. 26, 2026
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offshore operations near Ventura, California
The program is due to take place on platform Gilda, part of the Santa Clara Unit offshore Ventura County.
March 26, 2026
But results indicate considerable decline compared to BBG1 lease sale total of $300 million.
March 11, 2026
Alvaro Victor/2155011277/iStock/Getty Images Plus
BOEM releases five Beaufort Sea seismic survey datasets
The five 3D seismic surveys are expected to support energy development, analysis and geologic research.
March 11, 2026
National Assessment estimates a recoverable resource of 65.80 Bbbls of oil and 218.43 Tcf of natural gas along the Outer Continental Shelf.
March 10, 2026
The change is expected to save industry about $484 million annually in compliance costs.
March 6, 2026
BBG2 has been scheduled for March 30, 2026. It will offer approximately 15,066 unleased blocks.
Feb. 6, 2026
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Gulf of Mexico map
Thirty companies participated, with bp, Chevron and Shell among the top bidders, reflecting the offshore industry's confidence in Gulf of Mexico development.
Dec. 10, 2025
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has outlined its path for leasing offshore Alaska and two ‘Gulf of America’ lease sales.
Nov. 20, 2025
Courtesy US Department of Interior/Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Interior Department sets offshore leasing schedule
Following the Dec. 10 lease sale, the ‘Gulf of America’ is set for lease sales in March and August through March 2040.
Aug. 19, 2025

Articles

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offshore wind
BOEM is advancing an unsolicited lease request from Hecate Energy to develop two areas offshore Texas, and BOEM also said it will not proceed with a planned GoM auction.
July 26, 2024
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offshore_wind
The memorandum of understanding includes continuing current efforts to explore and identify potential areas for offshore wind leasing.
June 10, 2024
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sunset_oil_and_gas_platform_gulf_of_mexico_dreamst
Agency estimates that industry will be required to provide $6.9 billion under new rule.
April 16, 2024
Courtesy BOEM
boem_area_id_map
Agency makes Area ID available for proposed Lease Sales 262, 263, and 264.
March 29, 2024
Courtesy BOEM
gomow2
Agency plans to offer four areas, a total of 410,060 acres, off Louisiana and Texas.
March 21, 2024
Courtesy BOEM
gulf_of_maine_wea
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has finalized its designation of a wind energy area in the Gulf of Maine.
March 18, 2024
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offshore_wind
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has designated two final wind energy areas offshore Oregon.
Feb. 14, 2024
Courtesy BOEM
lease_sale_261
Lease Sale 261 reported to be the largest oil and gas lease auction since 2015.
Dec. 20, 2023
The Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale was originally scheduled for Sept. 27 and later scheduled for Nov. 8 in response to judicial orders.
Nov. 16, 2023
Courtesy BOEM
Lease Sale 261
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has announced that it is postponing Lease Sale 261, previously scheduled for Nov. 8.
Nov. 2, 2023

Additional content from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Courtesy National Renewable Energy Laboratory/US Department of Energy
BOEM rescinds designated Wind Energy Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf
The directive does not appear to affect leases that have already been awarded, but it does ensure that already-suspended lease sales will not go forward.
Aug. 6, 2025
The lease sale bid reading is proposed for December 10, 2025.
June 25, 2025
BOEM analysis finds a 22.6% increase in remaining recoverable reserves since 2021.
April 11, 2025
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offshore wind
The outgoing US administration has approved the SouthCoast Wind Project offshore Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Jan. 2, 2025
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offshore wind
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has approved the construction and operations plan for the Maryland Offshore Wind project.
Dec. 5, 2024
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offshore wind
Potentially, the proposed SouthCoast Wind project offshore Massachusetts could generate up to 2.4 GW.
Nov. 15, 2024
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offshore wind
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has approved the Atlantic Shores South 1 and 2 project plan to construct and operate two offshore wind energy facilities.
Oct. 2, 2024
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has made issued its final environmental assessment of the wind energy area in the Gulf of Maine.
Sept. 9, 2024
Courtesy BOEM
Boem Gom Wind Map 2
Creating an offshore wind industry in the GoM will take time and partnership, agency says.
Oct. 30, 2023
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Offshore Wind
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) identified a draft wind energy area (WEA) offshore Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, opening a 30-day public review and comment...
Oct. 21, 2023
Courtesy BOEM
Lease Sale 261
Agency says that it plans to conduct sale on Nov. 8, 2023.
Oct. 5, 2023
Courtesy BOEM
Lease Sale 261
Agency says that it will hold lease sale no later than Nov. 8, 2023.
Sept. 26, 2023