(WO) — The U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed targeted revisions to federal regulations governing exploratory oil and gas drilling on Alaska’s Outer Continental Shelf, seeking to modernize the 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule while maintaining existing safety and environmental oversight.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Image: Official portrait.
The proposed rule, issued through the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA), would revise portions of the Obama-era regulations to reflect technological advances, operational experience and stakeholder feedback gathered since the rule was adopted.
According to the Interior Department, the revisions are intended to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, improve operational flexibility and streamline compliance requirements for companies conducting Arctic offshore exploration.
“The proposed rule reflects a disciplined, mission-focused approach that strengthens regulatory efficiency, reduces unnecessary barriers and ensures that Arctic energy exploration proceeds safely, responsibly and under strong federal oversight,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
The proposal includes updates to requirements covering blowout preventer real-time monitoring, Arctic source control and containment equipment, relief rig capability, subsea isolation devices, mudline cellars, oil spill response plan reviews, crane operations on artificial islands, and suspensions of operations and production.
The MMA also proposes eliminating the standalone Integrated Operations Plan requirement while retaining key Arctic planning information within the Exploration Plan process. Interior said the change is intended to simplify permitting without reducing federal oversight.
Officials emphasized that the proposed rule does not authorize any lease sale, exploration plan or drilling activity. Any future Arctic offshore operations would continue to undergo environmental reviews, permitting, inspections and compliance oversight under existing federal authorities.
The proposal will be published in the Federal Register, initiating a 90-day public comment period.
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