Trump Administration kicks off plan to expand offshore drilling

The U.S. The U.S.

Donald Trump ordered the government to find ways to increase U.S. oil production. He argued that previous administrations had curtailed drilling unnecessarily to combat climate changes. He also rescinded the efforts of former president Joe Biden to stop oil drilling in the Arctic, and large areas along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and Pacific Coast.

In a recent press release, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that "Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, we are unlocking our offshore resources' full potential to benefit American citizens for generations to come."

Interior announced that it would begin the development of the five-year planning process by opening a 45-day period for public comments.

The company said that it did not propose a specific date or location for the new lease auctions.

According to the press release, "Instead of inviting stakeholders to provide insights and recommendations for leasing, raise concerns and identify any other existing uses which may be affected offshore leasing," it is instead asking them to give their insight and suggestions, to express their concerns, and to identify any other existing uses which may be affected.

The report noted that Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently acquired jurisdiction over a newly created planning area in High Arctic, and that other outer continental shelf areas are also being redrawn - suggesting new acreage could be available for drillers.

The Trump administration has said that the drilling auctions scheduled by the Biden Administration for the Gulf of Mexico, which they call the Gulf of America, will continue.

Interior estimates that offshore leases are responsible for 14% of the crude oil produced in the United States. Reporting by Richard Valdmanis and Editing by Franklin Paul

(source: Reuters)