Interior Plans 30 Offshore Oil Lease Sales Gulf, Alaska by 2040

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced a long-term schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of America and Alaska’s Cook Inlet, as mandated by President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The plan includes at least 30 lease sales in the Gulf of America through 2040 and six sales in Cook Inlet by 2032, aiming to boost American energy production and energy security. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum described the program as a bold effort to strengthen American energy dominance, create good-paying jobs, and encourage continued investment in offshore infrastructure. The Gulf region currently accounts for about 14–15% of U.S. crude oil production and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, while Alaska’s Cook Inlet is positioned as a vital energy hub to reduce reliance on foreign imports. The predictable sale schedule is intended to provide clarity and stability to the oil and gas sector, with significant economic benefits including contributions to GDP and federal and state revenues. Despite recent tepid industry interest in Cook Inlet, the administration and Alaska state officials emphasize the importance of sustained activity for local economic and energy needs.