The Department of the Interior has announced a new long-term leasing schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of America and Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

The move counters an 11th-hour drilling ban enacted by the Biden Administration, prohibiting leasing on 625 million acres of federal land and waters.

According to the DOI, the Trump Administration plans to hold four lease sales by next August and 10 offshore lease sales by 2028, with the first sale scheduled for Dec. 10, 2025. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will publish the final notice at least 30 days before the sale.

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“These scheduled sales offer the oil and gas sector much-needed clarity and stability, encouraging continued investment in deepwater infrastructure, which is foundational to national energy resilience,” the agency said.

“The Gulf supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, contributes tens of billions to GDP annually and generates substantial federal and state revenues. The economic and energy-security gains from these sales are both immediate and long-lasting.”

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who helped introduce the Energy Choice Act of 2025, called the DOI’s decision ‘HUGE’ for American energy production.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised President Trump’s move to cancel the Biden mandate and grow domestic energy production.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a landmark step toward unleashing America’s energy potential,” said Burgum. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re putting in place a bold, long-term program that strengthens American Energy Dominance, creates good-paying jobs, and ensures we continue to responsibly develop our offshore resources.”

“We are committed to working collaboratively to unlock America’s full potential in energy dominance and economic development to make life more affordable for every American family while showing the world the power of America’s natural resources and innovation. Together, we will ensure that our policies reflect the needs of our communities, respect tribal sovereignty, and drive innovation that will keep the U.S. at the forefront of energy and environmental leadership.”

Per the agency, the inclusion of at least 30 lease sales in the Gulf of America accounts for roughly 14–15% of U.S. crude oil production and serves as the mainstay of offshore energy output.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten