NOIA: Biden administration standing against domestic oil, gas production with delayed offshore lease sale

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the postponement of Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 261.

“Once again, the Administration is standing against domestic oil and gas production. The Administration is simply choosing to delay this lease sale, which follows in their pattern of opposing new domestic oil and gas lease opportunities.

"There are zero legal or operational constraints preventing Interior from proceeding with the lease sale pursuant to the October 5th Final Notice of Sale. The delay is especially concerning in light of the geopolitical upheaval and fragility in oil markets due to burgeoning armed conflicts in multiple oil-producing regions. A competent national security posture must exemplify strength and promote U.S. oil and gas production, as opposed to overtures to dictators and despots.

"Moreover, there is no reason BOEM should consider withdrawal of acreage or additional restrictions when NOAA, the “science-based” agency within Commerce, has just announced it needs to take additional steps before any decisions like these can be made. Rather than capitulate to the demands of activist litigants and circumvent the regulatory process, the Administration should resume oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico."