Program Offices
ORGANIZATION CHART
The Office of Resource Evaluation, Gulf Region, is concentrates on determining the fair market value on the tracts that received bids in the Central Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico, Sale 233 last March. Getting a fair return for American taxpayers remains a priority and is an essential part of what RE does in the Gulf Region. The Office of Resource Evaluation recently prepared reports providing detailed analysis of the resource inventory completed in 2011 supporting decisions for the current 2012-2017 Five Year Program.
The Office of Environment manages the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which contains 160 million acres, and of that, 6 million acres are producing oil and natural gas. For several decades, The Region's Office of Environment (OEnv) has been responsible for assessing environmental activities and conducting studies associated with mineral extraction carried out in the GOM OCS.
- Carry out the environmental policies of the U.S. Department of the Interior in accordance with NEPA and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) 43 U.S.C. 1301-1356, as amended with regard to oil and gas in the GOM and Atlantic OCS and other mineral (salt and sulfur) extraction operations as well as renewable energy activities and alternate use of existing oil and gas structures in the GOM OCS.
- Responsible for all pre-lease environmental activities associated with the offshore mineral leasing program and for renewable energy and alternate use activities in the GOM OCS planning areas, including development of sales-related NEPA documents; gathering and cataloging socioeconomic and environmental information; and conducting public scoping meetings and hearings.
- Develops or evaluates post-lease operation-specific NEPA documents, and reviews environmental documents required by the lease; performs environmental investigations to assess the effects of OCS activities and/or compliance by operators with environmental requirements; and applies unique measures to mitigate potential environmental impacts of proposed activities.
The Office of Leasing and Plans coordinates and administers plans associated with exploration, development and production of energy and mineral resources on OCS leases and manages leases. Sale 227 in the Central Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico yielded $1.2 billion in high bids March 20, 2013. The Gulf Region is preparing for 10 more proposed sales in the Gulf of Mexico for the 2012-2017 Five Year Program. Sale 233 is set for August 2013. With the new environmental and safety requirements, review and approval of exploration and development plans is another priority in the Gulf of Mexico Region.
CONTACT
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region
1201 Elmwood Park Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70123-2394
Main Phone Number: 800-200-4853
Email: gulfpublicinfo@boem.gov