Trump administration to open most of OCS to exploration and development

More than 90% of the outer continental shelf (OCS) could be made available for exploration and development under plans detailed by President Trump’s secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke on 4 January.

The secretary of the Interior announced the next step for developing the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program) for 2019-2024, which proposes to make over 90% of the total OCS acreage and more than 98% of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in federal offshore areas available for future exploration and development. Doing so could create work and employment opportunities throughout offshore oil and gas supply chain.

In comparison, the current programme puts 94% of the OCS off limits. In addition, the programme proposes the largest number of lease sales in US history.

“Responsibly developing our energy resources on the outer continental shelf in a safe and well-regulated way is important to our economy and energy security, and it provides billions of dollars to fund the conservation of our coastlines, public lands and parks,” said Secretary Zinke.

“Today’s announcement lays out the options that are on the table and starts a lengthy and robust public comment period. Just like with mining, not all areas are appropriate for offshore drilling, and we will take that into consideration in the coming weeks. The important thing is we strike the right balance to protect our coasts and people while still powering America and achieving American energy dominance"

Earlier this year, 155 members of both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate sent letters to Secretary Zinke in support of a new five-year plan that recognises America’s potential for ‘energy dominance.’

The Draft Proposed Program (DPP) includes 47 potential lease sales in 25 of the 26 planning areas – 19 sales off the coast of Alaska, 7 in the Pacific region, 12 in the Gulf of Mexico, and 9 in the Atlantic region. This is the largest number of lease sales ever proposed for the National OCS Program’s five-year lease schedule.

“By proposing to open up nearly the entire OCS for potential oil and gas exploration, the United States can advance the goal of moving from aspiring for energy independence to attaining energy dominance,” said Vincent DeVito, counsellor for energy policy at Interior. “This decision could bring unprecedented access to America’s extensive offshore oil and gas resources and allows us to better compete with other oil-rich nations.”

Release of the DPP is an early step in a multi-year process to develop a final National OCS Program for 2019-2024.

“This plan is an early signal to the global marketplace that the US intends to remain a global leader in responsible offshore energy development and produce affordable American energy for many decades to come,” said Katharine MacGregor, principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management. “This proposed plan shows our commitment to a vibrant offshore energy economy that supports the thousands of men and women working in the offshore energy industry, from supply vessels to rig crews.”

Inclusion of an area in the DPP is not a final indication that it will be included in the approved programme or offered in a lease sale, because many decision points still remain. By proposing to open these areas for consideration, the secretary ensures that he will receive public input and analysis on all of the available OCS to better inform future decisions on the National OCS Program.

“American energy production can be competitive while remaining safe and environmentally sound,” said acting BOEM director Walter Cruickshank. “Public input is a crucial part of this process, and we hope to hear from industry groups, elected officials, other government agencies, concerned citizens and others as we move forward with developing the 2019-2024 National OCS Program.”