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Us Gulf Of Mexico News

09 Nov 2025

Trump Finalizes US Gulf Lease Sale, Proposes Alaska Sale

Source: BOEM

The Trump administration will hold an auction for drilling oil and gas off the U.S. Gulf next month and has proposed another in a waterway in southern Alaska, it said on Friday.The lease sale in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which President Donald Trump refers to as the Gulf of America, will make about 80 million acres available. The sale, which will take place on December 10, will be the first of 30 sales in the region through 2040 that were included in Trump's tax law which he signed in July.The Gulf's offshore continental shelf spans roughly 160 million acres…

16 Oct 2025

Offshore Drilling Gains Momentum in US as Onshore Fades

© Denys / Adobe Stock

Rigs drilling beneath the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico will drive U.S. oil industry growth this year and next as onshore production slows due to lower prices and maturing shale fields, and analysts and consultants expect the trend to continue as new technology and friendly regulations attract investment offshore.The offshore oil and gas sector took a backseat to shale in recent years because drilling at sea requires years of construction work and higher upfront investments. Entry costs were lower for shale production and returns quicker, so rapid expansion in shale made the U.S.

07 May 2025

US Gulf Oil Output Could Reach 2.4 million Bpd Despite Geopolitical Instability

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico can continue growing oil output even amid geopolitical volatility not seen in decades. Credit: Adobe Stock/frank

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico can continue growing oil output even amid geopolitical volatility not seen in decades, oil and gas industry leaders said on Monday.U.S. President Donald Trump's global tariff announcements have since last month contributed to a decline in oil prices and fears of an economic downturn, making it more difficult for oil producers to follow his call of "drill, baby, drill.""We've never been in a situation where we have so much geopolitical volatility," said Occidental Petroleum CEO Vicki Hollub…

06 Mar 2025

Svitzer Steadily Builds a Maritime Behemoth

All images © Svitzer

Operating one of the world’s largest marine fleets of any kind, it is Svitzer’s local footprint that speaks volumes for its diverse and far-flung workforce and assets. Strengthened by a multi-national team, providing value in more than three dozen countries, Svitzer stands out every day. On 30 April 2024, Svitzer was listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (SVITZR) as a result of the previously announced separation from its former parent company, A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S. Danish national Kasper Karlsen has been Global Chief Operating Officer of the Svitzer Group since December 2022.

28 Feb 2025

Beacon Offshore’s Shenandoah FPS Reaches US Ahead of Deepwater Installation

(Credit: COSCO Shipping)

The Shenandoah floating production system (FPS) has been transported to the Gulf of America ahead of wet tow and offshore installation at the Shenandoah deepwater field at Walker Ridge project site, developed by Texas-based exploration and production company Beacon Offshore Energy.On December 13, 2024 the Shenandoah FPS sailed away from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, where it was built.COSCO Shipping and Guangzhou Salvage Heavy Transport (CSGS) delivered the Beacon Offshore Energy’s Shenandoah FPS to Ingleside…

08 Jan 2025

USCG RADM Timme (Ret.) Joins OMSA as Senior Advisor

Richard V. Timme, OMSA Senior Advisor (c) OMSA

The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) announced that Rear Admiral Richard V. Timme, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), has joined OMSA as a Senior Advisor.This appointment underscores OMSA’s longstanding commitment to working collaboratively with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other regulatory agencies to develop practical, common-sense solutions that enhance the safety and security of the U.S. maritime industry.“I’m excited to join the OMSA team and continue more than three decades of service to the maritime community,” said Admiral Timme. “OMSA members are a crucial part of our U.S.

12 Dec 2024

Beacon Offshore Hires Subsea7 for US Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Job

(Credit: Subsea7)

Texas-based exploration and production company Beacon Offshore Energy has awarded a contract to Subsea7 for the work on Monument development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.The project involves the installation of a high-pressure 27-kilometre subsea tieback to the Shenandoah Floating Production System (FPS), located in Walker Ridge Block 316 at water depths reaching up to 2,000 meters.Subsea7's scope of work includes the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of subsea equipment…

14 Oct 2024

OSVs Gain New Life

(Photo: Alabama Shipyard)

Faced with an aging fleet, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has turned to converted offshore support vessels (OSV) to breathe new life into its ferry operations.The operator announced its purchase of the OSVs HOS Shooting Star and HOS Lode Star from Hornbeck Offshore Services in 2022, to replace its open-deck freight vessels Gay Head and Katama, and several months later, the operator exercised an option to acquire a third OSV, HOS North Star…

10 Oct 2024

Exxon Secures Over 271,000 Acres in Texas Waters for Offshore CO2 Capture

© Rafael Henrique / Adobe Stock

ExxonMobil said on Thursday it has acquired state leases for over 271,000 acres in Texas state waters for an offshore carbon dioxide (CO2) capture operation.The lease with the Texas General Land Office follows Exxon's 2021 bid for federal land off the Texas coast for CO2 capture, and its emergence as a high bidder on 69 blocks in the shallow waters of the U.S.

07 Oct 2024

Ports Restrict Navigation, Some Oil Facilities Shut as Milton Approaches Florida

(Image: NOAA)

At least one oil and gas platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was shut on Monday and Florida ports imposed restrictions on vessel navigation as Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified.Most energy infrastructure on the U.S. Gulf Coast, including oil and gas production facilities, liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants and refineries, is expected to be out of the storm path, but the closure of terminals could temporarily disrupt exports and imports.Florida was the sixth largest state exporter of goods last year, according to the Office of the U.S.

23 Sep 2024

Energy Firms Evacuate US Gulf of Mexico Platforms as Hurricane Risk Builds

© andrej pol / Adobe Stock

U.S. offshore oil producers were taking initial steps ahead of a storm predicted to become a hurricane in the middle of the week, evacuating non-essential staff from Gulf of Mexico production platforms.The U.S.

22 Sep 2024

Esgian Week 38 Report: Contracting has Slowed

© Lichtwolke99 / Adobe Stock

Esgian has no rig contracts to announced but provides an update on rig moves and drilling operations in the US Gulf of Mexico, Canada, Morocco and Norway in its Week 38 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryDrilling Activity and DiscoveriesExxonMobil has abandoned the Persephone C-54 well on EL 1169 in the Orphan Basin offshore Newfoundland, Canada.Seadrill’s 12,000-ft drillship West Neptune has resumed drilling operations on LLOG’s Who Dat South exploration well in the US Gulf of Mexico…

15 Sep 2024

Esgian Week 37 Report: New Contracts for Floating Rigs

© Andrei / Adobe Stock

Esgian provides an update on new contract awards for floating rigs in its Week 37 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsTransocean Ltd. has secured a 365-day contract for the 12,000-ft drillship Deepwater Atlas with bp in the US GOM.Norwegian operator Aker BP has extended the contract for Saipem’s 10,000-ft semisub Scarabeo 8 in Norway.Drilling Activity and DiscoveriesEquinor has found hydrocarbons at the Sitka C-02 exploration well in the Flemish Pass area offshore Newfoundland & Labrador…

13 Sep 2024

US Offshore Oil Production Reawakens in Wake of Hurricane Francine

© Lukasz Z / Adobe Stock

U.S. Gulf of Mexico energy firms on Friday were lumbering back from hurricane disruptions as offshore oil and gas producers ramped up operations after halving the key energy region's output, ports reopened, and onshore terminals accepted oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers.Hurricane Francine shut in up to 42% of the region's offshore oil and 53% of its natural gas production. The storm missed Texas and came ashore in Louisiana late on Tuesday, causing flooding and power problems that affected onshore terminals and ports that withstood 100 mph (161 kph) winds.The port of New Orleans…

11 Sep 2024

Key Louisiana Energy Port Operations Halted as Hurricane Francine Approaches

(Photo: NOAA)

The U.S Coast Guard on Wednesday suspended operations at the offshore energy services hub Port Fourchon, Louisiana, as hurricane Francine bore down on the coast, according to a shipping advisory.The temporary closure of Port Fourchon, home to marine and equipment suppliers to offshore oil producers, follows the suspension of marine traffic at the deepwater Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), and the commercial ports of New Orleans, Cameron and Lake Charles on Tuesday, all essential to oil, LNG and agriculture exports.About a quarter of all oil and natural gas production in the U.S.

10 Sep 2024

US Gulf Coast Energy Facilities Brace for Storm Francine

(File photo: Freeport LNG)

Energy facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast have begun scaling back operations and evacuating some production sites as Tropical Storm Francine swept through the energy-rich region, and was poised to strengthen into a hurricane later Tuesday.Francine was advancing toward the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, set to become the fourth hurricane of the Atlantic season, which concludes on November 30. Francine could intensify into a Category 2 hurricane, ahead of its expected landfall along the Louisiana coast on Wednesday evening, the National Hurricane Center said.Offshore production in the U.S.

09 Sep 2024

Gulf of Mexico Offshore Platforms Evacuated Ahead of Storm Francine

(Photo: NOAA National Hurricane Center)

U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil and gas producers were evacuating staff and curbing drilling to prepare for Tropical Storm Francine on Monday as it churned through the energy region on a path to bring high winds and drenching rains to the U.S. mid-South.Francine is likely to bring life-threatening storm surge to the upper Texas and Louisiana coasts and hurricane-force winds to Southern Louisiana this week. Residents of Calcasieu Parish in Louisiana on Monday were supplied with sandbags and other materials to combat the expected storm surge…

06 Sep 2024

Subsea7 Reveals it is Supporting Shell's Vito Waterflood Project

(Photo: Subsea 7)

Subsea7 in August announced it was awarded a "sizable" contract, worth between $50 million and $150 million, to perform engineering, procurement, construction, and offshore installation (EPCI) work in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.The company revealed on social media that the contract was awarded by Shell Offshore Inc., for its Vito waterflood project. Subsea7's work scope includes EPCI of a water injection flowline, hull piping, and associated subsea infrastructure for an enhanced…

16 Aug 2024

Subsea7 Scoops Gulf of Mexico Contract

Source: Subsea7

Subsea7 today announced the award of a sizeable contract in the US Gulf of Mexico worth between $50 million and $150 million.The scope of work includes engineering, procurement, construction, and offshore installation of a water injection flowline, hull piping and associated subsea infrastructure.Project management and engineering work will start immediately at Subsea7’s office in Houston, Texas, and offshore activity is expected to begin in 2026.The news follows the July award…

11 Aug 2024

Esgian Week 32 Report: Second Round of Saudi Jackup Suspensions

© Alexandre / Adobe Stock

Esgian provides an update on the second round of jackup suspensions in Saudi Arabia in its Week 32 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsArabian Drilling has confirmed that Saudi Aramco has initiated discussions with the drilling contractor over the suspension of an additional leased offshore rig, following an initial round of contract suspensions that began earlier this year. Arabian Drilling has not stated which of its jackups is the target of the current suspension discussions.ADES does not expect new contract suspensions for its fleet by Saudi Aramco this year.

04 Aug 2024

Esgian Week 31 Report: Busy Week for Borr Drilling, Valaris, Transocean and Noble

© chanjaok1 / Adobe Stock

Esgian provides an update on what has been a busy week in the offshore drilling market in its Week 31 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsBorr Drilling has confirmed new contracts for several of its 400-ft jackups, including work for the Arabia I in Brazil, Gunnlod in Malaysia, and Norve in Gabon. Borr stated that these new commitments cover a total 1,779 days and $332 million in contract revenue, including mobilisation and demobilisation.North Oil Company has…

08 Jul 2024

Texas Energy Industry Assesses Damage After Hurricane Beryl Batters Gulf Coast

© hildeanna / Adobe Stock

The Texas energy industry was evaluating the impact from Hurricane Beryl on Monday after the powerful storm lashed the U.S. Gulf Coast, closing key shipping ports and hitting the oil refining and production sectors.Beryl made landfall near the coastal town of Matagorda, Texas, on Monday morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour (129 kilometers an hour) and posing problems for the heart of the country's energy sector.The storm had strengthened to a Category…

30 Jun 2024

Esgian Week 26 Report: Drilling Activity is High

© bomboman / Adobe Stock

Esgian provides an update on drilling activity in its Week 26 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsVentura Offshore has been granted exclusive marketing rights from Hanwha Drilling LLC for the newbuild 12,000-ft 7th generation drillship, Tidal Action, for an ongoing tender process in Brazil.Transocean has announced a 365-day contract extension for the 12,000-ft drillship Deepwater Asgard with an independent operator in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.Northern Ocean Ltd.-owned 7…