BOEM sets date for BBG3 oil and gas lease sale

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has announced a Proposed Notice of Sale for the third offshore oil and gas lease sale under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The proposed lease sale — Big Beautiful Gulf 3, or BBG3 — is scheduled to take place on Aug. 12, 2026.

BBG3 is the third of thirty Gulf of America oil and gas lease sales required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law No: 119-21). The second, BBG2, is set for March 11, 2026. The first, BBG1, held Dec, 10, 2025, raised more than $300 million in high bids.

“Lease Sale BBG3 marks another major milestone in the Gulf of America,” said BOEM Acting Director Matt Giacona. “Building on the momentum of BBG1 and BBG2, this proposed sale reinforces BOEM’s commitment to regular offshore leasing as required under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. By offering leases with a competitive 12.5% royalty rate, BBG3 sends a clear signal that the era of regulatory uncertainty is behind us, and a new phase of responsible energy leadership has begun.”

Lease Sale BBG3 proposes to offer approximately 15,066 unleased blocks covering 80.4 million acres on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of America. The blocks located 3 to 231 miles offshore, span water depths from 9 feet to more than 11,100 feet.

Certain areas will be excluded from the sale, including blocks subject to the Sep. 8, 2020, presidential withdrawal; blocks adjacent to or beyond the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the Eastern Gap; and blocks within the boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

The Proposed Notice of Sale was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 20, 2026, initiating a 60-day comment period for affected state governors and local governments. Following the review of governor input, BOEM will publish a final notice of sale in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the scheduled lease sale date on Aug. 12, 2026.

• Read the Federal Register notice HERE