BOEM Floats Draft Plan for Deep-Sea Oil Leases
Published Date: 11/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The government just released a draft plan for the 11th round of offshore oil and gas leasing, inviting everyone—from local communities to environmental groups—to share their thoughts by January 23, 2026. This plan could change where and how oil and gas companies explore and drill in U.S. coastal waters, affecting jobs, the environment, and local economies. It’s a big deal for anyone interested in energy, the ocean, or coastal life!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Major OCS Resources Opened for Leasing
The 11th Draft Proposed Program would make more than 85 percent of the estimated technically recoverable Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas resources available for leasing during the five-year period following program approval. BOEM’s 1st Proposal includes a schedule of 34 lease sales across three of four OCS regions, covering all or portions of 21 of the 27 OCS planning areas with sale years listed from 2026 through 2031.
Public Nominations for Areas To Exclude
During the public comment period, BOEM is soliciting nominations for environmentally sensitive areas that may be considered for exclusion from leasing. You (Tribal, state, and local governments; Native organizations; environmental groups; industry; and the public) may submit nominations and comments by January 23, 2026.
Geographic Scope: Exclusions and New GOA Area
The 1st Proposal does not include a potential lease sale in the North Aleutian Basin Planning Area, the Washington/Oregon Planning Area, or any Atlantic planning areas. The Secretary intends to create a new South-Central Gulf of America (GOA) Planning Area aligned with GOA Program Area B and has decided to remove the remaining areas within the current Eastern GOA Planning Area from further leasing consideration.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-12600 — Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore the Commonwealth of Virginia-Request for Information and Interest
The government is asking people and companies if they're interested in leasing areas offshore Virginia to dig up minerals from the ocean floor. This is the first step and doesn’t guarantee any leases yet, but it could lead to future mining projects that might bring money and jobs. If you want to share your thoughts or show interest, you need to do it by July 23, 2026.
2026-11183 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management wants to keep collecting info about mining minerals (not oil, gas, or sulfur) on the Outer Continental Shelf. This renewal helps make sure the rules stay clear and fair for companies involved, with no big changes or extra costs expected. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until July 6, 2026, to speak up!
2026-11184 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; United States West Coast Port Infrastructure Survey
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is asking for approval to start a new survey about West Coast port infrastructure. This affects port operators and related businesses who will provide info to help improve port planning and safety. Comments on this plan are open until July 6, 2026, with no new costs announced yet.
2026-09793 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Oil Spill Financial Responsibility for Offshore Facilities
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management wants to update how offshore oil companies prove they can pay for oil spill cleanup. This affects companies running offshore oil facilities, who must provide financial info to show they’re ready for spills. Comments on these changes are open until July 14, 2026, helping make sure the rules are clear and not too hard to follow.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20759 — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Meeting
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is holding a private meeting on December 10, 2025, to review grant applications that could lead to new health research funding. This meeting affects researchers waiting for funding decisions and keeps sensitive info safe. The meeting will be virtual, ensuring timely and secure evaluation of important health projects.
Next: 2025-20761 — SES Performance Review Board
The Federal Trade Commission just announced the new team members for its Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board. This board checks how well top leaders are doing, suggests their performance ratings, and recommends pay raises based on results. These changes affect senior executives and aim to keep leadership sharp and rewarded on time.