The announcement which was made by the bureau’s director Abigail Ross Hopper is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to safe and responsible domestic energy production.
The proposed Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 247 is scheduled to happen in New Orleans in March of 2017.
The lease sale will be the twelfth offshore sale under the Administration’s Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017 (Five Year Program).
The eleven sales, which were aimed at increasing domestic oil and gas production, conducted in the past netted over $3bn.
Hopper said: “As one of the most productive basins in the world, the Gulf of Mexico remains a critical component of the Administration’s domestic energy strategy to create jobs, foster economic opportunities, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
“The exploration and development of the Gulf of Mexico’s vital energy resources will continue to help power our nation and drive our economy.”
The latest sale will comprise approximately 8,878 blocks, located from three to about 230 miles offshore.
The water depths of the blocks will range from 9 to more than 11,115 feet (3 to 3,400 meters).
The bureau said that the proposed terms for the sale include conditions to ensure both orderly resource development and protection of the human, marine and coastal environments.
Hopper said: “This proposed sale is another important step to promote responsible domestic energy production through the safe, environmentally sound exploration and development of the Nation’s offshore energy resources.”
In July, the bureau announced plans to offer 23.8 million acres for oil and gas exploration and development offshore Texas.
