On 23 January, IADC joined API and a host of other upstream energy interest groups to provide comments in support of BOEM’s Request for Comments. This request was originally issued on 24 November 2025 via a Federal Register Notice that announced the availability of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Draft Program.
In this request, BOEM proposes a 5-year offshore lease schedule that comprises a total of 34 lease sales through 2031. IADC is pleased to see BOEM’s pragmatic approach to finalizing this proposed program via the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) approval process while reserving National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assessment considerations for specific lease sale conditions that provide for appropriately scaled and thorough analysis.
This change signals a view towards markedly increased certainty and accessibility regarding offshore oil and gas reserves. The upstream industry is highly encouraged to see increasing opportunities for leveraging energy resources that can substantially contribute to global economic stability, lower-carbon intensity of oil and gas production, and enhanced access to key energy deposits.
