About BOEM

The United States’ natural resources provide its citizens unparalleled opportunities for energy and mineral production, job creation, and revenues. BOEM is a small agency tasked with managing almost 3.2 billion acres of the seabed — greater than the size of the nation’s land acreage (which totals about 2.43 billion acres, per U.S. Census estimate). BOEM’s primary mission focuses are oil and gas energy, renewable energy, and marine minerals, with environmental science underpinning all our efforts.

Oil & Gas

Domestic energy development is critical for U.S. energy security, and offshore oil and gas resources are vital components of the nation’s energy portfolio. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, annual OCS offshore production reached approximately 667.5 million barrels of oil and 700 billion cubic feet of gas, accounting for 14 percent of domestic crude oil and 2 percent of domestic natural gas production, respectively. In FY 2024, companies paid $7 billion in bonuses, rent, and royalties to develop oil and natural gas in federal waters. This revenue goes to the U.S. Treasury and state programs to help fund conservation initiatives.

BOEM is responsible for the development of the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program), which establishes a five-year schedule of oil and gas lease sales in federal waters. The schedule includes the size, timing, and location of potential oil and gas leasing activity. In general, the process begins with a Request for Information and culminates with the approval of a National OCS Program, with multiple drafts and opportunities to comment in between. For more information on BOEM’s oil and gas energy activities, visit: https://www.boem.gov/oil-gas-energy.

Renewable Energy

As an emerging part of the nation’s multi-source energy portfolio, offshore wind energy provides a new source of renewable, domestic energy supply. It also offers the prospect of additional domestic jobs and wages. As of March 2025, BOEM’s renewable energy lease sales and rental payments have generated more than $5.7 billion for the U.S. Treasury.

BOEM manages almost 
3.2 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf, greater than the size of the nation's
land acreage

In addition to its offshore energy responsibilities, BOEM manages appropriate access to marine mineral resources, such as sand and gravel, on the OCS. Shore protection, beach nourishment, and coastal habitat restoration projects are the primary uses of these minerals. As of March 2025, BOEM has authorized close to 200 million cubic yards of OCS material for more than 60 coastal restoration projects in eight states to restore nearly 500 miles of the nation’s coastline. These projects protect billions of dollars of infrastructure and ecological habitats while restoring public beaches affected by severe erosion. The OCS also has the potential to contain significant volumes of critical minerals that can help support national security and the economy. 

For more information on BOEM’s marine minerals activities, visit: https://www.boem.gov/marine-minerals.

Environment

BOEM is legally required to conduct environmental studies and analyses as part of our efforts to oversee responsible development of offshore energy, marine minerals, and geological resources. BOEM’s streamlined environmental analyses cover over 30 federal regulations and help the bureau make timely and durable decisions at every stage of offshore development. 

For more information on BOEM's environmental activities, visit: https://www.boem.gov/environment.

Offices Around the Country

BOEM employees work in four offices across the country: New Orleans, La.; Camarillo, Calif.; Anchorage, Alaska; and two offices in the Washington, DC area. For more information, see: https://www.boem.gov/regions.