The Marine Minerals Administration said Thursday it will offer a fourth round of offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico.
Dubbed the “Big Beautiful Gulf 4” sale, or BBG4, the offering will include some15,104 unleased blocks covering 80.4 million acres on the Outer Continental Shelf. The proposed terms include a 12.5% royalty rate.
“BBG4 continues our commitment to a predictable sale schedule that supports industry investment in the Gulf of America and U.S. energy dominance,” MMA Acting Director Mike Olsen said in announcing the sale plans. “Domestic energy production is vital to U.S. economic strength, supporting good paying jobs and affordable energy for American consumers.”
Congress’ 2025 “Working Families Tax Cut Act” require the Marine Minerals Administration to hold at least 30 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf through 2040, part of the Trump administration’s push to prioritize new offshore production. The first three sales in 2025 and 2026 fetched $430 million in high bids.
The Proposed Notice of Sale will publish in the Federal Register Oct. 9, starting a 60-day comment period for governors and local governments in affected coastal states.
“The Marine Minerals Administration will consider those comments before issuing a Final Notice of Sale that will be published at least 30 days before the scheduled bid opening in March 2027,” the agency said.
Sale details and maps are posted online at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management website: https://www.boem.gov/sale-BBG4.
