Doug Burgum

Offshore Energy Sector Faces Policy Shifts And Investment Reassessment

Over the past week, offshore energy markets have been irrevocably altered by major U.S. policy decisions and changing investment signals. The Trump administration recently made headlines by suspending parts of U.S. offshore wind development for security concerns; analysts expect continued capital flow away from low-carbon projects back into offshore oil and gas projects and back to offshore oil and gas projects, signalling growing policy risk across offshore value chains.

Winding Technology AS

US Interior Department Canceles Five East Coast Offshore Wind Projects Due to National Security Concerns

The US Department of the Interior issued stop-work orders on five large offshore wind projects currently being developed off of the East Coast, citing national security concerns from classified reports. Developers like Dominion Energy, Orsted and Equinor are complying but predict significant delays and costs, with Dominion filing a lawsuit to challenge it.

Offshore Drilling

US Offshore Leasing Surge Shifts Drilling Outlook in Gulf and Pacific Regions

US offshore drilling policy took an unexpectedly radical turn in November 2025 when President Trump began implementing his expansive leasing agenda. Regulators unveiled their draft 2026-2031 offshore program and confirmed multiple Gulf lease sales under One Big Beautiful Bill Act; moreover they also proposed opening Pacific federal waters to oil and gas exploration for the first time since 1974.

Offshore Energy

US Offshore Leasing Plunge and North Sea Gas Finds Revamp Offshore Energy Outlook

Offshore energy developments ventured apace over the last week as the US Interior Department announced its most sweeping leasing plan to date. Two lease sales were performed in Alaska’s Cook inlet. Meanwhile, given their proximity to Europe, Equinor announced two gas and condensate discoveries it the North Sea which bolsters the regional security of supply.

Offshore Energy

U.S. Interior Department Unveils Vast Offshore Leasing Program; Global Wind Projects Advance

On November 20, the Trump administration announced the largest ever offshore oil and gas leasing program, proposing 34 possible lease sales across 1.27 billion acres. Floating offshore wind continues its international march, with 25 MW installed across the globe by 2025, and 2.5GW expected operational by 2030.

Offshore Energy

U.S. Interior Department Launches Comprehensive Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program

On November 20, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a major overhaul of offshore energy policy, directing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to scrap then-Vice President Joe Biden’s leasing plan in favor of a robust 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program to be completed by October 2026, making over 85% of estimated technically recoverable offshore resources leasing-eligible.