Bureau of Ocean Energy Management@BOEM

We manage our offshore energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way 🌊 RTs/follows/likes ≠ endorsement

 United States
BOEM.gov
Joined August 2013
2,249 Photos and videos
Our mission continues...now under the Marine Minerals Administration. This account is transitioning to @interiormma 🌊 and this page will no longer be updated. Follow us for the latest news and information. We look forward to continuing the conversation on the MMA platform.
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What could the future of offshore infrastructure look like? We are seeking public input on the potential use of federal waters for offshore space launch and re-entry activities. Learn more and submit comments during the 30-day RFI period: boem.gov/newsroom/press-rele…
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We announced the Final Notice of Sale for Gulf of America Lease Sale BBG3, scheduled for Aug. 12. The sale includes about 15,100 unleased blocks across 80.4 million offshore acres and supports the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Details: boem.gov/oil-gas-energy/leas…
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From all of us at BOEM and BSEE, we wish everyone a safe, happy, and enjoyable Independence Day!
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BOEM is seeking public input on a potential marine minerals lease sale offshore Virginia. The 30-day Request for Information period is now open. Learn more and submit comments: Submit comments by July 23, 2026: ow.ly/foRl50Zfmn2
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#Freedom250 Spotlight: Deep-sea polymetallic nodules—potato-sized and packed with cobalt, copper, nickel, and rare earths—are found 4,000–7,000 meters below the surface. They support clean tech and national security. #CriticalMinerals
Dark green polymetallic nodules are clumped in groups on the ocean floor at a depth of about 5,500 meters. Photo by BOEM.

ALT Dark green polymetallic nodules are clumped in groups on the ocean floor at a depth of about 5,500 meters. Photo by BOEM.

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What happens when seawater meets heat from the Earth’s crust? You get polymetallic sulfide deposits—rich in copper, zinc, silver & more. These critical minerals support the tech and energy systems shaping America’s next 250 years. More: ow.ly/v77m50Z5olr #Freedom250
A close-up photo of a rough, rectangular polymetallic sulfide deposit with brown, gray, and yellow layers throughout the textured surface. This polymetallic sulfide deposit was found in the Escanaba Trough in the Gorda Ridge system. Photo Credit: Dr. Paul Knorr, BOEM.

ALT A close-up photo of a rough, rectangular polymetallic sulfide deposit with brown, gray, and yellow layers throughout the textured surface. This polymetallic sulfide deposit was found in the Escanaba Trough in the Gorda Ridge system. Photo Credit: Dr. Paul Knorr, BOEM.

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Phosphorites are sedimentary rocks rich in calcium phosphate. Found on the seafloor, they may contain rare earth elements and uranium. These resources are vital to U.S. defense and manufacturing. Our science supports U.S. mineral security for the next 250 years. #Freedom250
A close-up photo of a Phosphorite rock with a rugged, uneven texture, rounded grains, and layered bands in brown, gray, and black tones. This rock was formed on the seafloor in Southern California. Photo credit: Public Domain.

ALT A close-up photo of a Phosphorite rock with a rugged, uneven texture, rounded grains, and layered bands in brown, gray, and black tones. This rock was formed on the seafloor in Southern California. Photo credit: Public Domain.
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Heavy mineral sands—found in shallow U.S. waters—contain titanium, tin, and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential to defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Our science supports U.S. strength and supply chain security for the next 250 years. #Freedom250
Layers of golden, brown, and black heavy mineral sand deposits. Photo by Kerby Dobbs, BOEM.

ALT Layers of golden, brown, and black heavy mineral sand deposits. Photo by Kerby Dobbs, BOEM.

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Ferromanganese crusts grow just 1–4 mm per million years—but they’re rich in cobalt, nickel, copper, and more. Our science helps secure these critical minerals for U.S. clean energy and national security—now and for the next 250 years. More: ow.ly/MQya50Z5mWe #Freedom250
A close-up photo of a dark gray ferromanganese crust sample, which has a rough and bumpy surface, which was collected from 1,896 meters deep at Necker Ridge in the central north Pacific. Photo credit: Public Domain.

ALT A close-up photo of a dark gray ferromanganese crust sample, which has a rough and bumpy surface, which was collected from 1,896 meters deep at Necker Ridge in the central north Pacific. Photo credit: Public Domain.

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Your smartphone depends on critical minerals. Materials such as lithium, aluminum, gallium, germanium, and rare earth elements are used in batteries, processors, displays, and other key components. Learn more: usgs.gov/media/images/critic…
A piece of solid Gallium metal that is bright silver. Photo credit: Public Domain

ALT A piece of solid Gallium metal that is bright silver. Photo credit: Public Domain

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As part of #Freedom250, we support offshore science that helps strengthen mineral supply chains and informs long-term resource planning for the next 250 years. #CriticalMinerals #Technology
A robotic arm collects a large ferromanganese nodule from the seafloor, which is covered with many smaller nodules. These round, dark rocks are rich in critical minerals. Photo Credit: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

ALT A robotic arm collects a large ferromanganese nodule from the seafloor, which is covered with many smaller nodules. These round, dark rocks are rich in critical minerals. Photo Credit: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

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On #MemorialDay, we honor the heroic men and women who gave their lives defending our nation. We remain committed to responsibly managing the development of energy, mineral, and geological resources on the Outer Continental Shelf—advancing America's security and energy future.
An American flag is superimposed over an oil platform in the ocean with the sun setting in the background.

ALT An American flag is superimposed over an oil platform in the ocean with the sun setting in the background.

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Happy #InfrastructureWeek! Critical minerals are essential to our infrastructure, technology & defense. We manage the development of mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf, evaluate marine minerals deposits, and oversee leasing and environmental and technical reviews.
A polymetallic nodule from the Pacific Ocean.

ALT A polymetallic nodule from the Pacific Ocean.

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Through responsible offshore energy development, we are reinvesting offshore energy revenues into America’s future. Revenues generated from offshore oil and gas activities support local economies, restoration efforts, fisheries, and critical infrastructure. #InfrastructureWeek
A multicolored offshore oil rig, painted in orange, red, yellow, and blue, sits in the ocean with a partly cloudy sky above.

ALT A multicolored offshore oil rig, painted in orange, red, yellow, and blue, sits in the ocean with a partly cloudy sky above.

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It’s #InfrastructureWeek! Offshore infrastructure powers America’s energy future. Through planning, coordination, leasing, and responsible resource management, we help lay the foundation for future offshore energy development across the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
Six people, who are wearing white hard hats and safety gear, are inspecting equipment on an offshore oil and gas platform. The blue ocean is in the background.

ALT Six people, who are wearing white hard hats and safety gear, are inspecting equipment on an offshore oil and gas platform. The blue ocean is in the background.

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BOEM’s offshore oil and gas leasing program—guided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program—provides a structured path for future offshore infrastructure, investment, and energy development while balancing environmental considerations.
An offshore oil and gas platform sits in the blue ocean. Photo Credit: Abigail Ryder, BOEM

ALT An offshore oil and gas platform sits in the blue ocean. Photo Credit: Abigail Ryder, BOEM

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It’s #EndangeredSpeciesDay! The sei whale is one of the most endangered large whales in the North Atlantic. Through collaboration with @NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, we are shedding important light on sei whale acoustic behavior.
A Sei whale mother and her calf swimming together in the ocean. Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

ALT A Sei whale mother and her calf swimming together in the ocean. Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

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@BOEM and @NOAA successfully placed digital acoustic tags on 14 sei whales in waters offshore Massachusetts in 2022—the first-time researchers had successfully tagged an endangered species in the U.S. using an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone.
A sei whale surfaces in the ocean as an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) flies overhead. There is a research vessel visible in the background. Photo credit: Laura Howes; permit #18059 Issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

ALT A sei whale surfaces in the ocean as an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) flies overhead. There is a research vessel visible in the background. Photo credit: Laura Howes; permit #18059 Issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

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Using UAVs allows scientists to collect data in a safer way while improving our understanding of whale behavior and habitat use. This research is informing mitigation strategies to protect these endangered species during offshore energy activities. piped.video/watch?v=96TXJv8P…

First-Ever Successful Drone-based Tagging of Endangered Sei Whales in U.S.

An uncrewed aerial system (UAS or drone) attaches a suction cup equ...

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