Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (January 2026)

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Washington Watch

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U.S. Offshore Energy 2026 Outlook:

Building Momentum in the Gulf of America

By Erik Milito, President, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)

Gulf among the world’s most productive offshore basins.

The Gulf of America

The Gulf of America is not just a source of energy; it is is back and the momentum is unmistakable. After two years a strategic platform for U.S. energy leadership. Its world- without federal lease sales, the December 10, 2025, Gulf of class reserves, advanced subsea and offshore technology, and

America lease sale, Big Beautiful Gulf 1, marks a turning deepwater engineering expertise uniquely position it to de- point for the U.S. offshore energy sector. With $300 mil- liver secure, lower-carbon energy to the U.S. and its allies. lion in winning bids and companies spending an average Gulf-produced oil has a carbon intensity 46% lower than of $1.6 million per lease block, up from $1.2 million per the global average, displacing higher-emission imports while block in the December 2023 sale, America’s offshore indus- supporting energy security and environmental stewardship.

try is signaling its readiness to invest, innovate, and grow. Beyond oil and gas, the Gulf anchors emerging energy

This sale is more than a one-off event; it represents a re- sectors. Offshore wind, carbon capture, subsea minerals, start of the predictable leasing cadence that previously deliv- and next-generation exploration all rely on the engineer- ered two Gulf of America lease sales per year. Restoring this ing expertise, supply chains, and infrastructure developed rhythm is essential. Offshore oil and gas projects are com- around traditional offshore energy. This synergy makes the plex, multi-billion-dollar undertakings with timelines span- Gulf a versatile energy hub capable of sustaining industrial ning 20 to 30 years. Predictable leasing allows companies leadership across multiple sectors for decades to come.

to plan strategically, invest in technology and infrastructure, The economic impact is substantial. In 2024, Gulf of and maintain the highly skilled workforce that has kept the America oil and gas operations supported roughly 428,000 22 | MN January 2026