WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to initiate public engagement for the creation of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. This announcement marks a significant step in advancing offshore energy exploration and bolstering long-term economic growth.
“Launching the process to develop the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Program marks a decisive step toward securing American Energy Dominance,” said Secretary Burgum. “Through a transparent and inclusive public engagement process, we are reinforcing our commitment to responsible offshore energy development—driving job creation, bolstering economic growth, and strengthening American energy independence.”
BOEM will soon issue a Federal Register notice to open a 45-day public comment period, inviting input from stakeholders on all OCS planning areas in accordance with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The process will include updates to existing planning area boundaries and the establishment of Alaska’s High Arctic as the 27th planning area.
Currently, the OCS is a critical resource for U.S. energy security. Managed by BOEM, it includes 2,227 active leases spanning 12.1 million acres, with 469 leases already producing oil and gas. These operations generated approximately $7 billion in federal revenue in fiscal year 2024, accounting for 14% of the nation’s domestic oil output and 2% of natural gas.
The 11th Program will replace the existing 2024–2029 framework, which includes three lease sales in the Gulf of America. However, the new initiative aims to broaden development opportunities, leveraging untapped resources estimated at 68.79 billion barrels of oil and 229.03 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
This effort aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14154, which prioritizes energy exploration on federal lands and waters to solidify the United States as a global energy leader. Secretary Burgum reaffirmed this commitment earlier this month by approving a new lease sale in the Gulf of America.
The public engagement process is seen as key to ensuring that development is aligned with economic and environmental goals. By fostering collaboration and transparency, the administration seeks to unlock the OCS’s full potential for the benefit of future generations while sustaining economic growth and energy independence.
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