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Interior Advances American Energy Dominance with Third Gulf of America Lease Sale

August 12, 2026 — The following was released by the U.S. Department of the Interior:

The Department of the Interior today announced that the Marine Minerals Administration’s Lease Sale Big Beautiful Gulf 3, or BBG3, generated $82,689,756 in high bids for 59 blocks in federal waters of the Gulf of America. Sixteen companies submitted 69 bids totaling $99,476,285.

The sale, held at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, was the third Gulf of America offshore oil and gas lease sale required under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut Act. Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor attended the sale.

“As America marks 250 years of independence, this lease sale reminds us that energy has always been tied to American freedom, strength and prosperity,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “From the industrial might that helped win World War II to the offshore energy that powers homes, transportation, manufacturing and small businesses today, the Gulf of America continues to serve the American people. Lease Sale BBG3 advances President Trump’s American Energy Dominance agenda by strengthening energy security, supporting good-paying jobs and helping ensure families have access to reliable, affordable energy.”

Lease Sale BBG3 supports Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy,which outlines President Trump’s commitment to expanding offshore oil and gas development to strengthen national energy security, lower energy costs and increase American competitiveness.

“Lease Sale BBG3 reflects MMA’s continued work to provide the predictable offshore leasing schedule Congress directed and industry needs to make long-term investment decisions,” said Acting MMA Director Matt Giacona. “Holding this sale in New Orleans during America’s 250th highlights the Gulf Coast’s enduring role in American strength — from its maritime and military history to the offshore energy that helps fuel everyday life. MMA is proud to help carry that legacy forward through responsible offshore energy development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.”

The Final Notice of Sale was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2026, outlining lease areas, fiscal terms and sale procedures. The public bid reading was livestreamed on BOEM’s website. Results will be posted at www.boem.gov/Sale-BBG3, with a final statistical summary to be released within 90 days.

MMA offered approximately 15,100 unleased blocks covering roughly 80.4 million acres across the Western, Central and portions of the Eastern Gulf Planning Areas. The blocks are located from 3 to 231 miles offshore in water depths ranging from 9 feet to more than 11,100 feet. The lease terms include a 12.5% royalty rate for blocks in all water depths, consistent with the minimum allowed under the Working Families Tax Cut Act.

The Gulf of America Outer Continental Shelf spans approximately 160 million acres and is estimated to contain 26.90 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and 45.59 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Offshore development plays a key role in supporting high-paying jobs, Gulf Coast communities, domestic energy supply and long-term economic growth.

Revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas activities are a critical source of funding for federal, state and local programs. These funds are distributed to the U.S. Treasury, Gulf Coast states, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund. Revenue-sharing programs also support coastal restoration, hurricane protection and other public services that benefit communities across the Gulf Coast and the nation.

Lease Sale BBG3 underscores the Department of the Interior’s commitment to an active offshore energy strategy focused on energy security, economic development and responsible stewardship of America’s offshore resources. By expanding domestic offshore capabilities, the United States can reduce reliance on foreign producers, support affordability for consumers and reinforce its role as a global energy leader.
For more information about Lease Sale BBG3, including lease terms, maps and bid results, visit www.boem.gov/Sale-BBG3.

Department of the Interior Proposes Targeted Updates to Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule to Advance American Energy Dominance

August 3, 2026 — The following was released by the U.S. Department of the Interior:

The Department of the Interior today announced a proposed rule through the Marine Minerals Administration to modernize and refine federal regulations governing exploratory oil and gas drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf, advancing President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to unleash American Energy Dominance while maintaining strong safety and environmental oversight.

“President Trump has made clear that America must fully avail itself of Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential for the benefit and security of the Nation and the citizens who call Alaska home,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “This proposed rule reflects a disciplined, mission-focused approach that strengthens regulatory efficiency, reduces unnecessary barriers and ensures that Arctic energy exploration proceeds safely, responsibly and under strong federal oversight.”
The proposal would make targeted revisions to the 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule finalized in the Obama administration to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, improve clarity and operational efficiency, and better reflect technological advancements and implementation experience since the 2016 rule was issued.
The proposed rule supports President Trump’s Executive Order 14153, “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” and Secretary’s Order 3422, which direct the Department to use all lawful authorities to responsibly develop Alaska’s vast natural resources in support of America’s economic and energy security. The proposal also aligns with Secretary’s Order 3451, “Establishment of the Marine Minerals Administration,” by supporting a more coordinated, efficient and accountable offshore minerals framework.
“The Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf contains some of America’s most promising offshore resources,” said Marine Minerals Administration Acting Director Matt Giacona. “These targeted updates would provide clear, practical compliance options for Arctic Outer Continental Shelf exploration while preserving safeguards to protect workers, the environment and Alaska’s precious natural resources
The Obama administration’s Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule established a burdensome regulatory framework for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf. The Department of the Interior’s proposed updates would revise specific provisions of that framework, drawing on lessons learned from implementation of the 2016 rule, advances in technology and stakeholder input received during prior rulemaking efforts.
Under the proposal, the Marine Minerals Administration would update requirements related to blowout preventer real-time monitoring, Arctic source control and containment equipment, relief rig capability, subsea isolation devices, mudline cellars, oil spill response plan-holder reviews, crane operations on artificial islands, and suspensions of operations and production. The proposal would also revise portions of Exploration Plan and Development and Production Plan regulations, including removing the separate Integrated Operations Plan requirement while retaining key Arctic planning information through the Exploration Plan process. The proposed revisions maintain the highest commitment to safe operations.
The proposed rule is designed to provide operators with clearer, more flexible compliance options while preserving federal authority to review, approve, condition or require additional safeguards for proposed Arctic Outer Continental Shelf activities. The proposal does not approve any specific lease sale, exploration plan, permit or drilling activity.
The Marine Minerals Administration will continue to evaluate any proposed Arctic Outer Continental Shelf operations through established federal review processes, including environmental review, exploration plan review, permit review, oil spill response plan review, inspections and compliance oversight. Existing statutory authorities, regulatory protections and public engagement opportunities remain in place throughout the transition to the Marine Minerals Administration.
The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on initiating a 90-day public comment period.

Two Years After Vineyard Wind Blade Failure, Government Investigation Still Not Completed

July 31, 2026 — Two years after a Vineyard Wind turbine blade collapsed, littering Nantucket’s shores with debris, a federal investigation into the blade failure is still ongoing, with little indication of when it will be completed or why it has taken so long.

Almost immediately after the blade failure, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, a Department of the Interior agency tasked with safety and environmental protection for the offshore energy industry, announced that it would be launching an independent investigation into the collapse. Two years later, that investigation has yet to produce any results.

At this point, the investigation has actually outlived the agency that launched it. On July 10th, President Donald Trump announced that BSEE would be folded into the Marine Minerals Administration and would cease to exist as an independent agency.

In a statement shared with the Current, the Marine Minerals Administration confirmed that it was continuing the investigation, but offered few further details.

“The Marine Minerals Administration is ensuring the investigation is thorough and comprehensive,” the agency wrote. “MMA’s investigation is currently ongoing and does not have a date for completion at this time.”

This mirrors statements BSEE has given in the past.

Read the full article at the Nantucket Current

Trump Administration Advances First Offshore Critical Minerals Lease Sale Under New Marine Minerals Agency

July 17, 2026 — The Trump administration has taken another step toward launching a U.S. offshore critical minerals industry, with the newly created Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) releasing a proposed leasing notice that could lead to the first federal deep-sea mineral lease sale in U.S. waters.

The proposal covers federal waters off American Samoa and marks one of the first major regulatory actions by the MMA since the Trump administration announced plans in April to merge the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) into a single offshore regulator.

The proposed lease sale is part of the administration’s broader effort to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals—including nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese—that are widely used in batteries, defense systems and advanced manufacturing while reducing dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

“Critical minerals have become a strategic asset in global competition, and China’s dominance in the supply of many of these materials creates unacceptable risks for America’s energy, defense and manufacturing sectors,” Acting MMA Director Matt Giacona said.

Read the full article at gCaptain