Search Results for keywords:"Gulf of Mexico"

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that they are canceling the Record of Decision for the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 257. This decision is in response to Executive Order 14008, which pauses new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters until a comprehensive review is completed. The lease sale was initially planned to occur on March 17, 2021, but is now halted. BOEM may consider the lease sale again after the review and could issue a new decision in the future.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), extended the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for bp Exploration and Production, Inc., allowing them to take marine mammals incidentally during geophysical surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. The new expiration date is March 31, 2025, instead of the original February 14, 2025. This extension is due to bp using only one source vessel rather than the planned two, and it does not change any other aspects of the survey or the analyses supporting the authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Murphy Exploration and Production Company for activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA allows the company to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals while conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities. The authorization is based on specific regulations ensuring any impact on marine life is negligible, and it includes mitigating measures like monitoring and reporting. The survey is planned to last seven days within designated areas and is expected to comply with all applicable rules regarding the protection of marine mammals.

The document is a Presidential Proclamation by Donald J. Trump, declaring February 9, 2025, as Gulf of America Day. This follows an Executive Order changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America to honor its importance to the United States. The proclamation invites public officials and citizens to celebrate this day with appropriate events and activities. It emphasizes restoring American pride by acknowledging historical significance.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the Interior Department, has announced the release of a draft report called the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Regional Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This report studies potential impacts of oil and gas leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. BOEM is requesting public comments on this draft until January 27, 2025, and will hold virtual public meetings for further discussion. The draft considers various alternatives for oil and gas leasing and analyzes the possible effects on the environment and communities, balancing energy needs with environmental protection.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has decided that there is competitive interest in leasing areas for wind energy development in the Gulf of Mexico, following a request for competitive interest published earlier in 2024. Hecate Energy Gulf Wind LLC initially expressed interest in leasing the areas, and Invenergy GOM Offshore Wind LLC also submitted an interest. Both companies have been found to be qualified for holding a lease, and BOEM plans to proceed with a competitive lease sale process in the Gulf, potentially starting in 2026. This decision comes after BOEM reviewed proposals and comments regarding the suitability of the specified areas for wind energy projects.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Viridien, allowing the company to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals during geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This decision follows regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The surveys will take place over 115 days, with sound source operations planned for 65 days, and the impact on marine mammals is expected to be minimal. Notably, there is no authorization for taking the Rice’s whale, as these animals are not expected to be in the survey areas. NMFS believes that the number of marine mammals affected will be small compared to their total populations, adhering to the MMPA regulations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to TGS, allowing the incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA is effective from February 15, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The authorization is granted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which permits incidental takings only if they have a negligible impact on the species. The surveys will occur over 83 days with specific modeling used to ensure compliance with existing regulations, and the anticipated impact is considered minimal.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has issued a temporary rule to close the hook-and-line commercial fishing for king mackerel in the southern zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This closure is due to the commercial quota being reached and will last from February 22, 2021, until the end of the fishing year on June 30, 2021. NMFS previously closed gillnet fishing for the same species in this zone after reaching its quota on January 28, 2021. The closure aims to conserve the king mackerel population in the Gulf.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has updated a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for Shell Offshore Inc. concerning the incidental taking of marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico during geophysical surveys. The expiration date of the LOA has been extended to October 31, 2025, due to changes in the survey schedule, and updated take estimates have been included in line with recent rule adjustments. No significant changes have been made to Shell's planned activities, and the LOA does not authorize the take of Rice's whales since these activities are not expected to overlap with their habitat. The updates ensure compliance with existing regulations and conservation standards.