Offshore Energy

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.

Equinor

Offshore Energy Sector Faces Regulatory Hurdles as LNG Projects Advance

Late December 2025 witnessed significant regulatory disruption within the offshore energy sector, as federal authorities suspended major wind projects citing national security concerns and advanced several liquefied natural gas projects toward final investment decisions, signaling strategic industry pivots toward domestic energy reliability.

Black Sea

Major Offshore Deals and Discoveries Shaping Energy Landscape in December 2025

Harbour Energy's $3.2 billion purchase of LLOG marks its entrance into U.S. Gulf deepwater assets, while Shell and INEOS Energy announce their first oil discovery in the Gulf of America. CNOOC launches production from its Xijiang 24 wellhead platform while contracts continue flowing to TechnipFMC, Subsea7, and other companies from Mozambique Australia and beyond -- signalling robust offshore momentum amid expanding Caribbean logistics networks.

North Sea

Norwegian Offshore Directorate Grants Key Drilling Permits as North Sea Activity Gains Momentum

Equinor Energy AS was granted drilling permits by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate to drill wellbores 7220/7-5 and 35/11-32 S in production licences 532 and 090 HS respectively. This recognition came in light of the explorer’s work on the Norway continental shelf amid continued reporting of hydrocarbon discoveries and production.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

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.

China

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.

U.S. Department of the Interior

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.