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Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE)
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Offshore Energy and Minerals Management (OEMM)

bullet 5-Year Program
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The Bureau plays a key role in America’s energy supply by managing the mineral resources on 1.7 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This includes managing Renewable Energy Programs as well as Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing in Federal waters.

SlideShow PicturesThe OCS is a significant source of oil and gas for the Nation’s energy supply. The approximately 43 million leased OCS acres generally accounts for about 15 percent of America’s domestic natural gas production and about 27 percent of America’s domestic oil production. The Bureau’s oversight and regulatory framework ensure production and drilling are done in an environmentally responsible manner, and done safely. In addition, the Bureau has finalized regulations to guide Renewable Energy endeavors located on the OCS. Examples of potential renewable energy projects include wind energy, wave energy, ocean current energy, and more.

The offshore areas of the United States are estimated to contain significant quantities of resources in yet-to-be-discovered fields. The Bureau estimates of oil and gas resources in undiscovered fields on the OCS (2006, mean estimates) total 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of gas. These volumes represent about 60 percent of the oil and 40 percent of the natural gas resources estimated to be contained in remaining undiscovered fields in the United States.

 

The OCS Lands Act (286.05 KB PDF) requires the Department of the Interior (DOI) to prepare a 5-year program that specifies the size, timing and location of areas to be assessed for Federal offshore natural gas and oil leasing. It is the role of DOI to ensure that the U.S. government receives fair market value for acreage made available for leasing and that any oil and gas activities conserve resources, operate safely, and take maximum steps to protect the environment.

OCS oil and gas lease sales are currently held on an areawide basis with annual sales in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico with less frequent sales held in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The program operates along all the coasts of the United States - with oil and gas production occurring on the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Atlantic and Alaska OCS. The Bureau is also responsible for other mineral production offshore, which currently includes using sand and gravel for coastal restoration projects.

The Offshore Energy and Minerals Management Program operates under the leadership of Deputy Associate Director Bob LaBelle.

BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich speaks about drilling safety during his opening remarks recently at the Forum on Offshore Drilling in Santa Barbara, California. Director Bromwich is hosting eight forums in the Gulf Coast states, California and Alaska, to collect information and input from experts in the fields of deepwater drilling safety reforms, well containment, and oil spill response. Members of the public who wish to comment on the same topic areas may list their thoughts online.

Deepwater Horizon Information
 
bullet Deepwater Horizon Response
bullet Deepwater Horizon Library and Reading Room
bullet Update: The Ongoing Administration-Wide Response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill
 

 Deepwater Horizon Response

On April 20, 2010 while working on an exploratory well approximately 50 miles offshore Louisiana, the semi-submersible drilling rig Deepwater Horizon experienced an explosion and fire. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The Bureau is working with the U.S. Coast Guard and the operator of the drilling rig in securing the well and protecting the environment. Updates regarding response operations can be found at Deepwater Horizon Response.

Documents

 

BSEE Director Delivers Remarks at the International Regulators Forum 2011 Global Offshore Safety Summit Conference
 

Interior Department Reaffirms Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale
 

BSEE and BOEM Officially Replace BOEMRE on October 1
 

BOEMRE Holds First Post-Macondo Unannounced Spill Drill to Test Sub-sea Containment Response

 

Deepwater Horizon Joint Investigation Team Releases Final Report