BOEM’s Gulf of Mexico OCS Region
Our mission: To manage development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.
The Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) manages three programs on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS): oil and gas, renewable energy and marine minerals. The GOMR manages offshore resources in Federal waters off the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Nearly three-fourths of the Gulf of Mexico employees are scientists including geologists, geophysicists, petroleum engineers, physical scientists, biologists, environmental protection specialists, and environmental scientists.
Key Regional Information
- Conventional: More than 2200 oil and gas leases.
- Renewable: One offshore wind energy lease.
- Marine Minerals: More than 89 miles of shoreline restored.
Gulf of Mexico Office
1201 Elmwood Park Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70123
800-200-4853Gulf of Mexico Regional Director
Dr. James Kendall
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) gives BOEM the authority to manage the OCS and the requirement to provide environmental oversight. The Gulf continues to be the nation's primary offshore source of oil and gas, generating about 97% of all U.S. OCS oil and gas production. OCS activities generate substantial revenues from lease sales, royalties on production, and rental fees. These funds are distributed to the U.S. Treasury and several different programs through various revenue sharing laws. The largest portion goes to the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury, which benefits all U.S. citizens through funding of daily operations of the federal government.
BOEM held the first-ever offshore wind energy auction for the OCS Gulf of Mexico region in 2023, resulting in one lease area receiving a high bid of $5.6 million. RWE Offshore US Gulf, LLC was the winner of the Lake Charles Lease Area, which has the potential to generate approximately 1.24 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity and power nearly 435,400 homes with clean, renewable energy.
The Marine Minerals Program partners with communities to address serious erosion along the Nation’s coastal beaches, dunes, barrier islands, and wetlands. Erosion affects natural resources, energy, defense, public infrastructure, and tourism. To help address this problem, the MMP leases sand, gravel and/or shell resources from federal waters on the OCS for shore protection, beach nourishment, and wetlands restoration with vigorous safety and environmental oversight.
