Alaska Cook Inlet Oil Lease Sale 258 Cleared After Court Review Drama
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The government has confirmed that the 2022 Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale in Alaska stands as planned, despite a court review. This means one lease from that sale is officially approved, keeping oil and gas development moving forward. Companies involved can now operate with confidence, while the public can check details online anytime.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.
Lease Sale 258 Affirmed; One Lease Preserved
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management affirmed Oil and Gas Lease Sale 258 as held on December 30, 2022, and confirmed the one lease issued from that sale. The Assistant Secretary selected Alternative 6 after a supplemental EIS completed in December 2025, letting the leaseholder proceed with exploration and development under the existing lease stipulations.
Seismic Survey Timing Restrictions
On all 193 OCS blocks offered, no on-lease marine seismic surveys may occur between November 1 and April 1 to protect beluga whales. For blocks within 10 miles of major anadromous streams, on-lease marine seismic surveys are also prohibited between July 1 and September 30.
Drift Gillnet Fishery Mitigation Measures
For 97 OCS blocks north of Anchor Point, lessees are prohibited from conducting on-lease seismic surveys during the drift gillnetting season (designated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, approximately mid‑June to mid‑August) and must notify the United Cook Inlet Drift Association of any temporary or permanent structures planned during that season.
Beluga Whale Habitat Blocks Excluded
Ten OCS blocks that overlap the 'Area 2' beluga whale critical habitat were excluded and will not be offered for lease; these blocks represent approximately 0.85 percent of the total beluga whale critical habitat area analyzed. Those areas remain off-limits for leasing under the selected alternative.
Northern Sea Otter Area Exclusions
Seven OCS blocks that overlap the northern sea otter southwest Alaska distinct population segment critical habitat were excluded and were not offered for lease under the selected alternative.
Sea Otter 1,000‑Meter Mitigation Rule
Lessees are prohibited from discharging drilling fluids and cuttings and from seafloor‑disturbing activities (including anchoring) within 1,000 meters of designated northern sea otter critical habitat; this mitigation would apply to 14 OCS blocks within that buffer. The single lease issued from LS 258 was not within that 1,000‑meter area.
Variance Requests and Post‑Lease Mitigation Authority
Lessees may request variances to lease stipulations when filing ancillary activities notices, exploration plans, or development and production plans by proposing alternative methods that provide commensurate protection. BOEM and BSEE retain discretion to require additional mitigation measures during post‑lease plan and permit reviews.
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