{"id":294788,"date":"2024-01-13T13:08:20","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T12:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=294788"},"modified":"2024-01-13T13:08:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T12:08:23","slug":"new-mapping-adds-1000000-sq-km-to-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=294788","title":{"rendered":"New Mapping Adds 1,000,000 Sq Km to US"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"395\" data-attachment-id=\"294801\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=294801\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?fit=1600%2C873&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,873\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0Bering-Sea-Strait\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?fit=723%2C395&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?resize=723%2C395&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?resize=1024%2C559&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?resize=768%2C419&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?resize=1536%2C838&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?resize=1200%2C655&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/0Bering-Sea-Strait.gif?w=1446&amp;ssl=1 1446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From <a href=\"http:\/\/Watts Up With That?\">Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guest \u201cThis would be cool if the new territory was actually open for business,\u201d by David Middleton<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continental shelf maps could add Egypt-size area to U.S. territory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two-decade mapping effort yields bounty of seafloor data<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>9 JAN 2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4:30 PM ET<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BY\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/author\/david-malakoff\">DAVID MALAKOFF<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The United States has unveiled the results of a monumental undersea mapping effort that could add 1 million square kilometers of sea floor\u2014twice the area of California\u2014to its territory. In addition to enabling the U.S. to claim valuable geological and biological resources, particularly in the Arctic, the project has produced a wealth of seafloor data that are fueling a wide range of<br>scientific advances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The impetus to make the maps, which were released last month by the U.S. Department of State, came from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. One provision of that 1982 pact gives a coastal nation the right to claim sea floor that sits outside its exclusive economic zone, which stretches 200 nautical miles offshore, if it can demonstrate that the territory is a \u201cnatural prolongation\u201d of its continental shelf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[\u2026]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/continental-shelf-maps-could-add-egypt-size-area-u-s-territory?utm_source=sfmc&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=alert&amp;utm_campaign=DailyLatestNews&amp;et_rid=237382256&amp;et_cid=5056307\">Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Extended Continental Shelf (ECS)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being an \u201cold school\u201d geologist, the phrase, \u201cExtended Continental Shelf,\u201d struck me as a bit odd. By comparison, this is the nomenclature I was taught way back in the Pleistocene:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"557\" height=\"168\" data-attachment-id=\"294790\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=294790\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-221.png?fit=557%2C168&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"557,168\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-221\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-221.png?fit=557%2C168&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-221.png?resize=557%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-221.png?w=557&amp;ssl=1 557w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-221.png?resize=300%2C90&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sepmstrata.org\/page.aspx?pageid=74\">SEPM Strata<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/media\/images\/extended-continental-shelf\">USGS<\/a>\u00a0has a nice graphic explaining hw the Extended Continental Shelf:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"414\" data-attachment-id=\"294791\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=294791\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-222.png?fit=720%2C414&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,414\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-222\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-222.png?fit=720%2C414&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-222.png?resize=720%2C414&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-222.png?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-222.png?resize=300%2C173&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) the continental shelf is that part of the seabed over which a coastal State exercises sovereign rights with regard to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, including oil and gas deposits, as well as other minerals and biological resources of the seabed. The legal continental shelf extends out to a distance of 200 nautical miles from its coast, or further if the shelf naturally extends beyond that limit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under UNCLOS, the continental shelf evidently now includes the continental slope and continental rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Significance of an Extended Continental Shelf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new mapping could allow the US to claim the seafloor and subsurface resources over the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arctic Ocean 520,400 km<sup>2<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Atlantic Ocean 239,100 km<sup>2<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bering Sea 176,300 km<sup>2<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the vast majority of the geological resources (oil &amp; gas) will be off limits to exploration and production.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"507\" data-attachment-id=\"294793\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=294793\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-223.png?fit=720%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,507\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-223\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-223.png?fit=720%2C507&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-223.png?resize=720%2C507&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-223.png?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-223.png?resize=300%2C211&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cSources\/Usage: Public Domain.<br>The 200-nautical mile U.S. exclusive economic zone is shown in dark gray on the map. The USGS CMHRP has collected sediment thickness data for defining the extended continental shelf\u2014the shelf beyond 200 nautical miles\u2014in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans and the Bering Sea (yellow tracks).\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/programs\/cmhrp\/science\/delineating-us-extended-continental-shelf\">USGS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smaller areas offshore California and the Gulf of Mexico are also now eligible for ECS claims. Whoop-de-do! Obviously, with oil &amp; gas activities largely prohibited in these areas, what geological resources have any value?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Geological Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The maps have also shed light on the geologic evolution of ocean basins, identified areas at risk of producing submarine mudslides that could trigger tsunamis, and pointed to potential seafloor mineral deposits. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/continental-shelf-maps-could-add-egypt-size-area-u-s-territory?utm_source=sfmc&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=alert&amp;utm_campaign=DailyLatestNews&amp;et_rid=237382256&amp;et_cid=5056307\">Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clearly,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wattsupwiththat.com\/2023\/10\/20\/copper-the-new-oil\/\">mining seafloor mineral deposits<\/a>&nbsp;must be good for the environment, unlike oil &amp; gas exploration (\/Sarc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scientists from many fields also \u201cpiggybacked\u201d on the mapping voyages, obtaining everything from seafloor rock and mud samples to one of the first bits of icelike gas hydrate\u2014a potential energy source\u2014recovered from the Arctic.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/continental-shelf-maps-could-add-egypt-size-area-u-s-territory?utm_source=sfmc&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=alert&amp;utm_campaign=DailyLatestNews&amp;et_rid=237382256&amp;et_cid=5056307\">Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We can\u2019t drill for subsurface oil &amp; gas, however we can mine seafloor methane hydrates?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Real Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), ultimately spent tens of millions of dollars on nearly 50 mapping cruises, some held jointly with Canada. The ships completed multibeam surveys of 3 million square kilometers of sea floor and conducted acoustic surveys, which use sound to map sediments, along nearly 30,000 linear kilometers.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/continental-shelf-maps-could-add-egypt-size-area-u-s-territory?utm_source=sfmc&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=alert&amp;utm_campaign=DailyLatestNews&amp;et_rid=237382256&amp;et_cid=5056307\">Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile researchers are feasting on the data. For his 2020 doctoral dissertation, for example, Sowers used an algorithm to sort seafloor features along the U.S. Atlantic coast into habitat types, including mounds and seamounts that may host deep water sponges and corals. Such analyses, he notes, could help U.S. officials identify rich seafloor ecosystems that need protection. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/continental-shelf-maps-could-add-egypt-size-area-u-s-territory?utm_source=sfmc&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=alert&amp;utm_campaign=DailyLatestNews&amp;et_rid=237382256&amp;et_cid=5056307\">Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They spent tens of millions of dollars, acquiring 3 million mi<sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;of geophysical data in order to claim an extra 1 million km<sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;of territory, evidently to place it off limits to economic exploitation. In conclusion, it truly does appear that their goal was to enable the US to claim more seafloor territory in order to protect if from capitalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I couldn\u2019t make this sort of schist up even if I was trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">That Said\u2026 The Science is Way Cool!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Technology and Innovation in Seafloor Mapping<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[\u2026]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The USGS designs mapping research programs to address a wide range of topics, and to expand our understanding of deep sea minerals, offshore energy, marine biological habitats, hazards, and more.&nbsp;The USGS uses acoustic techniques to collect detailed information about the seafloor, such as its shape, sediment composition and distribution, and underlying geologic structure and sediment type. Seafloor video, photographs, sediment cores, and other samples are also collected to validate the acoustics and provide a comprehensive foundation for studies of sediment and contaminant transport, landslide and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/glossary\/ocean-glossary\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/glossary\/ocean-glossary\">tsunami<\/a>&nbsp;hazards,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/glossary\/ocean-glossary\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/glossary\/ocean-glossary\">gas hydrates<\/a>, methane and carbon flux,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/glossary\/ocean-glossary\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/glossary\/ocean-glossary\">benthic<\/a>&nbsp;habitat quality, and sediment availability. Managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders use the map products derived from these studies to make informed decisions regarding the Nation\u2019s safety and economic prosperity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"372\" data-attachment-id=\"294795\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=294795\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?fit=1110%2C571&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1110,571\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-224\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?fit=723%2C372&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?resize=723%2C372&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?resize=1024%2C527&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?resize=300%2C154&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?resize=768%2C395&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-224.png?w=1110&amp;ssl=1 1110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Graphic showing geophysical and sampling systems used to define the seafloor topography, surface sediments, and underlying geology. \u00a0Sidescan-sonar systems acquire information about the surface of the seafloor, swath bathymetric systems measure the depth, or seafloor topography, seismic sources map the underlying geologic structure, single-beam echosounders map the depth at a point beneath the vessel, and sampling systems collect samples of the seafloor and can be equipped with digital camers and video systems to collect optical images of the seafloor.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/science\/science-explorer\/ocean\/mapping-the-seafloor\">USGS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Tangentially Related News\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) finally held Lease Sale 261. After months of legal battles over the fraudulent habitat claim for a fake whale species,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wattsupwiththat.com\/2023\/09\/26\/federal-judge-blocks-bidens-unlawful-lease-sale-restriction\/\">Federal judges forced BOEM to hold the sale<\/a>&nbsp;and drop all of the unlawful Rice\u2019s whale restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lease Sale 261 brings in more than $382 million in high bids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dec. 20, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lease Sale 261 reported to be the largest oil and gas lease auction since 2015.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Offshore staff<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NEW ORLEANS<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) reports that Lease Sale 261 generated $382,168,507 in high bids for 311 tracts covering 1.7 million acres in federal waters in the US Gulf of Mexico.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BOEM says that a total of 26 companies participated in the lease sale, submitting 352 bids totaling $441,896,332.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the winners were Chevron, BP, Shell, Equinor, Repsol, Woodside Energy, Occidental Petroleum, Murphy Oil, Talos Energy, and Kosmos Energy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[\u2026]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.offshore-mag.com\/regional-reports\/us-gulf-of-mexico\/article\/14303048\/lease-sale-261-brings-in-more-than-382-million-in-high-bids\">Offshore Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The red blocks indicate leases that drew bids in Sale 261.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"297\" data-attachment-id=\"294797\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=294797\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-225.png?fit=720%2C297&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,297\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image-225\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-225.png?fit=720%2C297&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-225.png?resize=720%2C297&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-225.png?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/image-225.png?resize=300%2C124&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sale-261-Active-Leases-and-Bids-Receive-Map.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Sale-261-Active-Leases-and-Bids-Receive-Map.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-beec4b2b-db10-46e5-a000-d8b60043a9c3\" 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business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":294801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"This would be cool if the new territory was actually open for 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Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/22\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. You are authorized and directed to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Energy Costs\"","block_context":{"text":"Energy Costs","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=energy-costs"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0Moorea-Whale-Watching5-2000x1200_76336_84466.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0Moorea-Whale-Watching5-2000x1200_76336_84466.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0Moorea-Whale-Watching5-2000x1200_76336_84466.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0Moorea-Whale-Watching5-2000x1200_76336_84466.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0Moorea-Whale-Watching5-2000x1200_76336_84466.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":330620,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=330620","url_meta":{"origin":294788,"position":1},"title":"Offshore Wind Turbines Could Mess With Ships\u2019 Radar Signals","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/30\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"We found out last year that offshore wind turbines scramble Air Force Radars. RAF pilots already use the turbines in training exercises to help them hide. But ships also use radar and a new study quietly reported a couple of years ago that offshore wind will interfere with shipping radar,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Doppler effect\"","block_context":{"text":"Doppler effect","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=doppler-effect"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/OIG-2023-11-05T145349.999.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/OIG-2023-11-05T145349.999.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/OIG-2023-11-05T145349.999.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/OIG-2023-11-05T145349.999.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":367760,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=367760","url_meta":{"origin":294788,"position":2},"title":"The Gulf of America is now officially open for business!","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"02\/26\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)\u00a0gives BOEM the authority to manage the OCS and the requirement to provide environmental oversight. The Gulf continues to be the nation\u2019s primary offshore source of\u00a0oil and gas, generating about 97% of all U.S. OCS oil and gas production. OCS activities generate substantial revenues from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Gulf of America\"","block_context":{"text":"Gulf of America","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=gulf-of-america"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0Gulf-of-America-map-1200x953-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C953&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0Gulf-of-America-map-1200x953-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C953&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0Gulf-of-America-map-1200x953-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C953&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0Gulf-of-America-map-1200x953-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C953&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0Gulf-of-America-map-1200x953-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C953&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":265420,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=265420","url_meta":{"origin":294788,"position":3},"title":"What price liberty? A family answers the call","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"07\/04\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but it was not until a few days later that it was officially presented to the people. It was a monumental occasion, full of drama, apprehension, and anticipation. The American people would never again witness a more significant event\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"1776\"","block_context":{"text":"1776","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=1776"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/0NXVcEY2.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/0NXVcEY2.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/0NXVcEY2.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/0NXVcEY2.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/0NXVcEY2.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":382931,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=382931","url_meta":{"origin":294788,"position":4},"title":"Skipping the Rules: Offshore Wind\u2019s Legal Issue","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"06\/12\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"With offshore wind, a lethal tort issue lurks beneath the waves: Is it enough to pay off harmed ocean users after the fact, or does the law demand the government prevent harm in the first place? Under the\u00a0Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), a clear answer is being dangerously overlooked.","rel":"","context":"In \"Biden Administration\"","block_context":{"text":"Biden Administration","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=biden-administration"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-2.-Mai-2025-12_52_05-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-2.-Mai-2025-12_52_05-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-2.-Mai-2025-12_52_05-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-2.-Mai-2025-12_52_05-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":397868,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=397868","url_meta":{"origin":294788,"position":5},"title":"U.S. Offshore Wind: Politics Giveth, Taketh","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"08\/26\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Last Friday, the Daily Caller News Foundation broke an exclusive story that the U.S. had ordered a halt to construction on the offshore Revolution Wind Farm project. The article, \u201cTrump Admin Kills Massive Offshore Wind Project,\u201d\u00a0announced the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Department of Interior).","rel":"","context":"In \"\u00d8rsted\"","block_context":{"text":"\u00d8rsted","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=orsted-2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AQM5aSHyJfhzclTlrdvD6K6IX4BnDZpdMrRDE2wS524G23iw74cmiMR1eJjNAwKH7AA8Fxr5Y060cCoDCB0gjsAluaBzLP-UMnv0YWBjImaefr3_urSomKJpAHBuB3l1bnGKA2FkjjdciWqS5JwBuegwncaxjA-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AQM5aSHyJfhzclTlrdvD6K6IX4BnDZpdMrRDE2wS524G23iw74cmiMR1eJjNAwKH7AA8Fxr5Y060cCoDCB0gjsAluaBzLP-UMnv0YWBjImaefr3_urSomKJpAHBuB3l1bnGKA2FkjjdciWqS5JwBuegwncaxjA-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AQM5aSHyJfhzclTlrdvD6K6IX4BnDZpdMrRDE2wS524G23iw74cmiMR1eJjNAwKH7AA8Fxr5Y060cCoDCB0gjsAluaBzLP-UMnv0YWBjImaefr3_urSomKJpAHBuB3l1bnGKA2FkjjdciWqS5JwBuegwncaxjA-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AQM5aSHyJfhzclTlrdvD6K6IX4BnDZpdMrRDE2wS524G23iw74cmiMR1eJjNAwKH7AA8Fxr5Y060cCoDCB0gjsAluaBzLP-UMnv0YWBjImaefr3_urSomKJpAHBuB3l1bnGKA2FkjjdciWqS5JwBuegwncaxjA-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AQM5aSHyJfhzclTlrdvD6K6IX4BnDZpdMrRDE2wS524G23iw74cmiMR1eJjNAwKH7AA8Fxr5Y060cCoDCB0gjsAluaBzLP-UMnv0YWBjImaefr3_urSomKJpAHBuB3l1bnGKA2FkjjdciWqS5JwBuegwncaxjA-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=294788"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":294802,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294788\/revisions\/294802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/294801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=294788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=294788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=294788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}