Government Auctions Off More Gulf Drilling Spots Amid Climate Debates

2026-09208, Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations; Extension of Public Comment Period

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is giving everyone an extra week to share their thoughts on new rules about managing risks and money for ocean energy leases and grants. This extension means folks involved in offshore energy projects have until May 15, 2026, to comment. No need to resend old comments—they’re already counted!

2026-04517, Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations

The Department of the Interior is proposing new rules to make it easier and cheaper for companies drilling for oil, gas, and sulfur on the Outer Continental Shelf to prove they can cover cleanup costs. These changes will lower the extra money companies must set aside, freeing up about $6.2 billion to invest back into energy projects. The updates affect current and future leaseholders and grant holders and aim to boost American energy while keeping the environment safe.

2026-16840, Notice of Availability of Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management just released new official maps showing areas off the Northern Mariana Islands where mineral leasing might happen. These updated diagrams help guide future decisions about ocean resources and environmental checks. If you’re involved in ocean energy or mining, keep an eye out—these maps are ready now and more will come later!

2026-16839, Notice of Availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2)

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice (PLN) for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2). BOEM publishes this notice pursuant to its regulatory authority under 30 CFR part 581. Pursuant to 30 CFR 581.16, the Secretary of the Interior provides the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the opportunity to review and comment on the PLN within 60 days of publication of this notice of availability. The PLN describes the proposed lease sale's size, timing, and location, along with information to lessees about clauses, lease stipulations, and terms and conditions, such as minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.

2026-15953, Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf-Revisions to the Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), acting through BSEE and BOEM (collectively, "the Bureaus"), is proposing to revise its existing regulations for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), to reduce unnecessary burdens on stakeholders while ensuring that energy exploration on the Arctic OCS is safe and environmentally responsible.\1\ This proposed rule would revise certain requirements promulgated through the rule entitled, Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf--Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf ("2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule") (see 81 FR 46478). This proposed rule would modify existing Arctic OCS blowout preventer (BOP) real-time monitoring requirements and add new provisions to BSEE's regulations pertaining to requirements for crane operations on artificial islands, suspensions of operations (SOO), and suspensions of production (SOP). This proposed rule would also revise certain parts of the Exploration Plan (EP) and Development and Production Plan (DPP) regulations implemented by BOEM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2026-15026, Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore the Commonwealth of Virginia-Request for Information and Interest; Extension of Comment Period

The government is giving people and companies more time—until August 22, 2026—to share their thoughts and interest in leasing ocean minerals off Virginia’s coast. This extension means more chances to get involved in plans that could lead to new mineral leases and economic opportunities. If you’re interested in ocean resources or business, now’s the time to speak up!

Previous: 2025-11923, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA

The University of Pennsylvania Museum has finished checking its collection of Native American human remains and found they belong to certain Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means the museum will work on returning these remains to the right communities. If you’re part of these groups, keep an eye out for updates on when and how the returns will happen.

Next: 2025-11926, Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found that some items belong to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means these groups can ask for their items back under the law. If you’re part of these communities, now’s the time to connect with the museum to learn more or start the return process.