knowledge center

Offshore drilling

State of Play:

The Biden administration is proposing additional leasing for offshore oil and gas drilling, largely limiting the plan to the Gulf of Mexico.

Where is offshore oil and gas produced?

Almost all offshore oil and gas production in the United States takes place in the Gulf of Mexico. Additional production takes place off the West Coast and the coast of Alaska.

How much oil and gas is produced in U.S. coastal waters?

In 2021, oil production in the Gulf of Mexico — where most offshore production occurs — amounted to about 621 million barrels — about 15 percent of all U.S. production. The gulf also accounted for about 2 percent of the country’s natural gas production.

Congressional Research Service: Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief

Congressional Research Service: Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: History and Background

Congressional Research Service: Offshore Oil and Gas: Leasing “Pause,” Federal Leasing Review, and Current Issues

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