BOEM Redraws Ocean Maps for Oil and Gas Planning Areas
Published Date: 4/30/2025
Notice
Summary
BOEM updated its map of ocean areas where oil and gas activities can happen, adding one new planning area and shrinking the total size a bit. These changes reflect new boundaries set by law and affect companies and communities involved in offshore energy. The update is official now, so everyone can plan ahead with the fresh info.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Territories and Hawaii excluded from leasing
BOEM states that the OCS offshore the U.S. Territories and Hawaii—about 1.48 billion acres—are not considered for oil and gas leasing and therefore have not been designated as planning areas. If your business was planning for leasing or development in those territorial or Hawaii offshore areas, those areas are not part of BOEM planning-area designations.
OCS planning areas updated (26 → 27)
BOEM changed its Outer Continental Shelf planning-area map so the number of planning areas increased from 26 to 27 and total planning-area acreage decreased from about 1.72 billion acres to about 1.68 billion acres. You are affected if your company or community is involved in offshore oil and gas planning or administration because BOEM uses these planning areas for planning and administrative purposes.
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